BRASILIA (Reuters) -Brazil’s government said on Friday that 22% of its exports to the United States remain subject to a 40% extra tariff after President Donald Trump expanded the list of exemptions to include goods such as coffee, meat and fruit. Those products are also hit by the U.S. base tariff of 10%, the Ministry […]
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Trump tariff relief leaves 22% of Brazil’s shipments still hit
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BRASILIA (Reuters) -Brazil’s government said on Friday that 22% of its exports to the United States remain subject to a 40% extra tariff after President Donald Trump expanded the list of exemptions to include goods such as coffee, meat and fruit.
Those products are also hit by the U.S. base tariff of 10%, the Ministry of Development, Industry, Trade and Services said, citing 2024 export values.
Speaking to reporters, Vice President Geraldo Alckmin said that before Washington’s decision on Thursday, the share of products facing the full 50% tariff had stood at 36%.
Alckmin said 238 products were removed from the extra tariff list, calling it the biggest breakthrough in trade talks so far.
He noted, however, that goods such as fish, honey, grapes, machinery, engines and footwear remain subject to the surcharge.
Figures released by the ministry on Friday show that about 51% of Brazil’s exports shed the extra 40% tariff, with 15% of them still subject to a 10% rate and the remaining 36% facing no additional duty.
Meanwhile, about 27% of Brazilian exports to the U.S. are subject to levies under Section 232 investigations, which impose tariffs on sectors such as steel, aluminum, wood, copper and furniture.
Negotiations are ongoing as President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva has signaled he is willing to meet Trump in person soon, although no meeting has been scheduled, said Alckmin.
“We were optimistic, and we want to reiterate that we remain optimistic. The work is not finished,” he said.
(Reporting by Marcela Ayres; Editing by Chris Reese and Bill Berkrot)