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US proposes 12.5% tariff on Brazil for failures in combating forced labor

15 sources · 04 Jun 2026 · Share coverage ·

verbatim from the press ? no verbatim passage

The United States government proposed on Tuesday (2) an additional 12.5% tariff on Brazilian products, alleging that Brazil fails to impose and effectively enforce prohibitions on imports of goods produced with forced labor. The measure, based on Section 301 of the Trade Act of 1974, affects 60 economies, including the European Union, China and other major US trading partners.

Press quotes (1)
IstoÉ

"O governo Trump propôs nesta terça-feira, 2, a imposição de tarifas adicionais de 10% ou 12,5% sobre as importações de 60 economias, incluindo o Brasil, após determinar que suas falhas em coibir o comércio de produtos fabricados com trabalho forçado são injustificadas e restringem o comércio dos EUA."

The US Trade Representative (USTR) determined that "the acts, policies, and practices of 60 economies related to the failure to impose and effectively enforce a prohibition on the importation of goods produced with forced labor is unreasonable and burdens or restricts U.S. commerce," according to an official document published Tuesday. For 14 countries, including Canada, Mexico and the European Union, the proposed tariff is 10%. Brazil is in the group of 46 countries subject to the higher rate. ?

Press quotes (1)
Ustr

"the United States Trade Representative determined under Section 301 of the Trade Act of 1974 that the acts, policies, and practices of 60 economies related to the failure to impose and effectively enforce a prohibition on the importation of goods produced with forced labor is unreasonable and burdens or restricts U.S. commerce"

The Brazilian government rejected the accusations in an official note released Wednesday (3). Itamaraty classified it as "absurd to try to associate the competitiveness of the Brazilian economy with external inputs obtained through trade that violates human dignity" and stated that the International Labor Organization recognizes the country "for decades as an international reference in combating forced labor." The government also said it reserves the right to use the Reciprocity Law approved by Congress.

Press quotes (1)
Agência Brasil

"É um absurdo tentar associar a competitividade da economia brasileira a insumos externos obtidos por meio de comércio que viole a dignidade humana"

The forced labor tariff proposal adds to the 25% tariff announced Monday (1) on Brazilian products for other trade practices considered unfair by the US, including the Pix payment system and deforestation oversight. If both are applied, Brazilian products could face accumulated surcharges of up to 37.5% in the American market, according to the American Chamber of Commerce (Amcham Brasil). USTR will hold a public hearing on the tariffs on July 7, one day after a Brazil-specific hearing.

Press quotes (1)
JC

"Determinados produtos brasileiros poderão estar sujeitos a tarifas adicionais acumuladas de até 37,5% impostas pelo governo Donald Trump"

1. What we know (1)

US proposed 10% tariffs for 14 countries and 12.5% for 46 countries, including Brazil in the second group

3 sources IstoÉ Jornal do Brasil JC
2. Where coverage thins out (3)

Covered by only some sources, or where the accounts diverge.

Covered by only some sources (2)

Flávio Bolsonaro sent letter to Secretary Marco Rubio asking not to tax Brazilian companies

Reported by: Band Jovem Pan Folha de S.Paulo
Did not cover: Agência Brasil IstoÉ Tvtnews Congressoemfoco

Brazil may use Reciprocity Law as response to American tariffs

Reported by: Agência Brasil Tvtnews
Did not cover: IstoÉ Jornal do Brasil Band Jovem Pan

Conflicting versions (1)

Relationship between tariffs and Bolsonaro family's coordination with Trump government

2 sources — "Lula government attributes tariffs to Bolsonaro family's coordination with Trump": Brasil 247 Poder360
1 source — "USTR report does not mention Bolsonaro family and details technical accusations": Conexão Política
3. What we don't know yet (3)
  • Which specific Brazilian products will be affected by the tariffs?

    Why it's still unknown: USTR mentioned exemptions for energy, rare earths, beef, coffee and others, but did not release a complete list of products subject to taxation

    Did not cover: Agência Brasil Tvtnews Congressoemfoco
  • What is the timeline for effective implementation of the tariffs?

    Why it's still unknown: The proposals depend on public hearings and Trump's final decision, with a legal deadline of July 15, but there is no guarantee when they will take effect

    Did not cover: Band Jovem Pan Brasil 247
  • How did other countries on the list of 60 economies react to the proposals?

    Why it's still unknown: Coverage focused on Brazil's reaction, without mentioning positions from European Union, China or other affected countries

    Did not cover: Folha de S.Paulo Poder360 Veja

All sources

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