Trump Exempts 45% of Brazilian Exports From New 50% Tariff

U.S. President Donald Trump signed an executive order on 30 July imposing a 50% tariff on most Brazilian exports, but the measure carves out a broad range of exemptions designed to blunt the impact on U.S. supply chains. According to a White House fact sheet, the order spares products such as orange juice and pulp, civil aircraft and related parts, wood pulp, crude and refined oil products, selected fertilizers, pig iron and several precious-metal shipments. The exclusions follow lobbying by U.S. importers that rely on Brazilian raw materials and components. Brazilian Vice President and Commerce Minister Geraldo Alckmin said the carve-outs remove about 45% of Brazil’s exports to the United States from the new 50% rate. Roughly 35.9% of shipments will now face the full tariff, while the remaining 20% fall under pre-existing global duties that range from 10% to 50%. Alckmin condemned the decision as a “lose-lose” for both economies, arguing that higher border taxes will ultimately raise costs for U.S. consumers. He added that Brasília will press Washington to lower the duty on coffee—an item the United States does not produce—and, if necessary, seek alternative markets for the crop. The partial reprieve offers relief to sectors such as aviation, energy and specialty metals, yet leaves industries from coffee and beef to footwear exposed. The dispute adds a fresh layer of trade tension just months after Washington’s steep duties on Chinese goods took effect.