President Donald Trump announced Monday a 50% tariff on all imports from Brazil, significantly escalating trade tensions between the two countries. The White House said the move was aimed at countering what it called “unfair trade practices” and protecting American industries.
In a brief statement, the Trump administration accused Brazil of flooding U.S. markets with subsidized agricultural and industrial goods, undermining domestic producers. The new tariff is effective immediately, and covers a broad range of imports including steel, soy products, and processed foods.
Analysts warn the move could trigger a response from Brasília, which has yet to issue an official reply. Brazil is a top trading partner of the U.S. in Latin America, and the tariff could impact bilateral trade worth tens of billions of dollars.
The decision comes amid broader efforts by the Trump administration to renegotiate trade relationships on more “reciprocal” terms, and follows similar measures taken against other countries in recent weeks.
