The Brazilian government is conducting bilateral negotiations with the United States to prevent the imposition of a 25% [1] tariff on exported products.
These talks are critical because a significant portion of Brazil's trade depends on the U.S. market. Any broad increase in tariffs could destabilize the country's productive and agricultural sectors, potentially slowing economic growth and increasing costs for exporters.
Negotiations are taking place between Brasília and the Office of the United States Trade Representative (USTR) in Washington, D.C. [2]. The pressure for these discussions intensified after the USTR held public hearings during the first half of June 2026 [3].
President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva is leading the effort to secure concessions to avoid the surcharges [2]. The Brazilian government is evaluating various concessions to offer the U.S. in exchange for a tariff exemption [2].
The potential economic impact is substantial. According to the National Confederation of Industry (CNI), the return of these tariffs would affect 35.2% [4] of Brazilian exports to the U.S.
"The return of Trump's surcharges would hit 35.2% of Brazil's exports to the US," the CNI said [4].
Brazilian officials are focusing on protecting the agro-industrial complex, which serves as a primary driver of the nation's trade balance. The current strategy relies on direct diplomacy to reach a bilateral agreement before the U.S. formalizes the new tax structure [2].
“The return of Trump's surcharges would hit 35.2% of Brazil's exports to the US”
The situation highlights the vulnerability of Brazil's export-led economy to U.S. trade policy shifts. By targeting over a third of Brazilian exports, the proposed tariffs serve as a geopolitical lever, forcing the Lula administration to consider concessions that could reshape bilateral trade relations and affect the competitiveness of Brazilian goods in North America.
