Brazilian Vice President Geraldo Alckmin announced on Saturday that key Brazilian exports to the United States, including coffee, beef, and tropical fruits, will continue to face a 40% tariff despite President Donald Trump’s recent decision to eliminate certain import taxes. This development follows Trump’s abrupt move on Friday to scrap levies imposed in April, which had initially subjected Brazilian goods to a 10% tariff. However, in July, Trump escalated the tariff to 40%, citing political motivations, including the trial of his ally, former Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro, whom he labeled a victim of a “witch hunt.” Bolsonaro was later sentenced to 27 years in prison for attempting a coup in September. While Alckmin acknowledged the partial relief for products like orange juice, he emphasized that the 40% tariff remains a significant barrier for other exports. He described Trump’s latest decision as “positive” but highlighted the need to address the ongoing “distortion” in trade relations. The July tariff hike, which coincided with Brazil’s trade deficit with the U.S., strained bilateral ties to historic lows. However, recent diplomatic efforts, including a meeting between Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva and Trump in October, have signaled a thaw in relations. U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Brazil’s Foreign Minister Mauro Vieira also engaged in talks this week to advance negotiations. Meanwhile, the Trump administration defended the tariffs as a revenue-generating measure, denying their impact on rising consumer prices. In Brazil, industry leaders, such as the Brazilian Association of the Coffee Industry, pledged to monitor the situation closely to safeguard the competitiveness of their sector.
Brazilian coffee, beef and tropical fruit will still be tariffed 40%, says Brazil’s vice president
