The threat of a new US tariff hike on Brazilian products has increased diplomatic tension between Brasília and Washington. In a statement released this Tuesday (2), the federal government expressed “indignation” at the Preliminary conclusion from the Office of the United States Trade Representative (USTR), which recommended imposing tariffs of 25% on all imports from Brazil.
In the document, the government not only criticizes the American initiative, but also makes harsh accusations against members of the opposition, citing the Bolsonaro family and classifying them as "false patriots" who are allegedly acting against national interests.
According to the statement, the investigation, conducted under Section 301 of U.S. trade law, began in July 2025 and is allegedly related to actions orchestrated by members of the Bolsonaro family. The government also specifically mentions Senator Flávio Bolsonaro's recent trip to Washington, linking it to the pressure that culminated in the recommendation for new trade sanctions.
Government sees political motivation.
In the statement, the Presidential Palace maintains that there is no economic justification for adopting measures against Brazil. The government's assessment is that the offensive is political in nature and represents an attempt to interfere in the country's internal affairs.
The text further states that "all the work of dialogue and coordination" carried out by the Brazilian government, including the direct participation of Presidents Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva and Donald Trump, is being undermined by electoral and family interests.
One of the most forceful passages in the statement is where the government accuses opponents of conspiring against the country. "These attacks have been aided by false patriots who use public offices and functions to conspire against national interests," the document states.
Defending Pix and Brazilian interests.
The statement also expresses concern about the inclusion of Pix among the topics cited by the USTR. The government considers that the instant payment system, created by the Central Bank, was mentioned inappropriately and classifies it as a Brazilian asset.
To reinforce its argument, the Brazilian government highlights figures from bilateral trade. According to data cited in the document, the United States accumulated a surplus of US$ 424,5 billion in goods and services in its relations with Brazil between 2011 and 2025.
The government also states that, in 2025, approximately 76% of US imports entered Brazil without import tax being paid. The average tax rate effectively charged on products from the United States would have been only 3,1%.
Negotiations continue
Despite the strong reaction, the government reports that trade negotiations between the two countries are ongoing. The expectation is that the investigation will be concluded by July 15th without the proposed tariffs being implemented.
If this does not happen, Brazil may resort to the instruments provided for in the Economic Reciprocity Law, approved by the National Congress, to respond to measures considered unfair.
The statement concludes by affirming that the government will take all necessary measures to protect the Brazilian economy, jobs, and the population's income, as well as to defend national sovereignty in the face of external pressures.
Full text of the federal government's statement.
"The Brazilian government expresses outrage at the preliminary conclusion announced yesterday (June 1st) by the USTR regarding the Section 301 investigation into alleged unfair trade practices by Brazil."
This investigation began on July 15, 2025, at the instigation of the Bolsonaro family and is associated with the attempted interference in our country's internal affairs, as demonstrated by Senator Flávio Bolsonaro's recent trip to Washington.
These attacks have been aided by false patriots who use public positions and functions to conspire against national interests.
It is regrettable that all the work of dialogue and coordination that the Brazilian government has been doing, including the personal involvement of Presidents Lula and Trump, is being sabotaged by purely electoral and family interests.
There was and is no justification for these unilateral measures against our country or against Brazilian assets such as PIX, explicitly mentioned in the preliminary recommendations.
According to statistics from the Bureau of Economic Analysis, the U.S. accumulated a trade surplus of US$424,5 billion in goods and services with Brazil over the past 15 years (2011-2025).
Last year alone, the US trade surplus in goods with Brazil totaled US$14,46 billion. Considering both goods and services, the figure rises to US$40,52 billion.
By 2025, 76% of imports originating from the United States entered Brazil without import tax being paid.
Eight of the ten main products imported from the United States by Brazil had an effective tariff of zero, including oil and derivatives, aircraft, natural gas, and coal.
The average tax rate actually charged on American products in Brazil was only 3,1%.
The main effect of the unilateral, politically motivated tariffs applied to our country has been to inflict damage on the national economy and on job and income generation, in addition to diminishing the role of the US as our trading partner.
In the first quarter of 2026, the US share of Brazilian exports reached its lowest point in the historical series, totaling 9,4%.
As agreed by Presidents Lula and Trump during their meeting in Washington on May 7, tariff negotiations are underway between the two countries in search of solutions that will result in the closure of the Section 301 investigation, scheduled for July 15, without imposing any measures against Brazil.
The Brazilian government will also continue the dialogue with the private sector with this objective.
Brazil reserves the right to resort to the instruments provided for in the Reciprocity Law, unanimously approved by the National Congress, to address situations of injustice against the Brazilian State that are not supported by the rules of international trade.
The Government reaffirms its expectation that the recommendations will not translate into effective tariffs, but reiterates that it will adopt any and all measures capable of reducing the damage that may be caused to the economy, jobs, and income of Brazilians.
"We must be vigilant against traitors to the nation and work in defense of our sovereignty and the interests of the Brazilian people."
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