In the same statement, the US reinforced a temporary surcharge of 10%, later increased to 15%
The government of the President of the United States, Donald Trump announced that he will continue investigating Brazil and China based on Section 301a trade policy tool that allows Americans to investigate and retaliate against other nations against trade practices considered unfair.
In a statement issued on Friday (20), after the US Supreme Court struck down Trump’s far-reaching global tariffs, the Office of the US Trade Representative (USTR) said the Trump administration will continue ongoing Section 301 investigations, including those involving Brazil and China.
“If these investigations conclude that unfair commercial practices exist and that an expedited response is warranted, tariffs are a tool that could be imposed,” the statement said.
It was in that same statement that the on articles imported into the United States from all countries pursuant to Section 122 of the Trade Act of 1974 following a contrary ruling by the Supreme Court. The tariff was raised to 15% this Saturday (21), in an announcement made by President Trump on a social network.
O Brazil began to be investigated by the Americans last year, amid Trump’s tariffs that hit Brazilian exports with rates of 50%. The investigation takes place based on Section 301, which is part of the Trade Act of 1974, signed by then President Gerald Ford.
In 2025, the United States announced that the investigation would address “acts, policies and practices of the Brazilian government related to digital commerce and electronic payment services; unfair preferential tariffs; anti-corruption interference; protection of intellectual property; access to the ethanol market; and illegal deforestation”.
Among the measures that the American government considered harmful when opening the file, in 2025, are intellectual property, existence of preferential tariffs for other countries, higher rates for American ethanol, illegal deforestation and even Pix.
This Saturday, Trump said he will increase global tariffs on the United States from 10% to 15% with immediate effect, even after the setback imposed by the Supreme Court. The Brazilian government has not yet commented on the decision and the mention of Section 301 in the statement.
*With information from Estadão Conteúdo
