The United States confirmed on Thursday (23rd) that it will apply a 12.5% tariff on products originating from Brazil, taking effect at 12:01 a.m. this Friday (24th). The measure is part of a trade investigation conducted by the US government into the use of forced labor in the production of imported goods.
In addition to Brazil, 59 other countries will face tariffs, with rates ranging from 10% to 12.5%. Under the criterion adopted by the US, nations that have taken measures to block the entry of products made with forced labor will pay the lower tariff, while those assessed as falling short, including Brazil, will face the higher rate.
Investigation Details and Justifications
The decision was based on Section 301 of the US Trade Act, which allows the investigation of trade practices deemed unfair. According to the Office of the US Trade Representative (USTR), the investigation concluded that the affected countries are not effectively preventing the import of goods produced with slave labor.
The report released by the USTR in early July described the use of forced labor as an unreasonable practice that harms American commerce by creating unfair competition for the country’s companies and workers. The entry of these products into the global market encourages the continuation of this exploitation by allowing them to be sold at artificially low costs.
In Brazil’s case, although the country has international commitments and maintains the Dirty List of Slave Labor, published twice a year by the government, the US points to a lack of effective mechanisms to prevent goods produced under these conditions from being imported.
Exceptions and the Practical Impact of the Tariffs
The tariffs include exceptions for some products that are strategic to the US economy, which will not be taxed so as not to undermine the results of the investigation. The new tariff replaces the 10% global levy announced in February, which was temporary and was set to expire this Friday (24th).
At the time, the measure had been adopted under Section 122 of US trade law, which allows temporary tariffs of up to 150 days. President Donald Trump had already signaled that he would use Section 301 to deepen investigations into unfair trade practices.
Brazil’s Response and Government Support
The Brazilian government had been expecting the 12.5% tariff announcement and is in talks with the affected economic sectors to define response strategies. The main government initiative to support affected companies is the Plano Brasil Soberano (Sovereign Brazil Plan), launched in 2025.
The program offers financing lines, greater guarantees for exporters and trade promotion actions aimed at opening new markets. Last Wednesday (22nd), the third phase of the plan was announced, releasing R$ 18.5 billion in credit for strategic industrial sectors such as pharmaceuticals, fertilizers and textiles, as well as companies whose exports to the Persian Gulf have been affected.
This latest measure also seeks to mitigate the impacts of the conflict in the Middle East, which involves the US, Iran and Israel, among other countries, and caused the partial closure of the Strait of Hormuz, a route through which about 20% of the world’s oil trade flows.
