WASHINGTON, D.C. (RFD NEWS) — The Office of the U.S. Trade Representative has finalized a 25 percent tariff on certain imports from Brazil, concluding a year-long Section 301 investigation into the country’s trade practices. The new tariffs are scheduled to take effect on July 22.
The Trump administration says the investigation found that several Brazilian policies and practices unfairly burden U.S. commerce, including issues involving digital trade, electronic payment services, preferential tariffs, intellectual property protection, ethanol market access, anti-corruption enforcement, and illegal deforestation.
Several agricultural products will remain exempt from the new duties, including certain beef products, coffee, bananas, nuts, and seeds, along with other products considered important to U.S. supply chains.
U.S. Trade Representative Jamieson Greer said extensive negotiations with Brazil over the past year failed to resolve the concerns identified during the investigation, prompting the administration to move forward with the tariffs. He added that the United States remains open to future negotiations if Brazil addresses the issues outlined by USTR.
