On Thursday, the United States announced that it is exempting a variety of Brazilian agricultural products from steep tariffs, which include beef, coffee, and tomatoes, thereby broadening the scope of exclusions from recently implemented levies.
These adjustments occur as President Donald Trump encounters mounting pressure from American voters who are struggling with rising living costs.
The latest directive from Trump builds upon his previous action taken last week to reduce “reciprocal” tariffs, which were established to counteract trading practices considered unfair, on several agricultural imports.
However, US tariffs on numerous Brazilian goods increased significantly in early August under a different notice, as Trump intensified pressure related to the trial of his right-wing associate, Jair Bolsonaro.
At that time, Trump’s decision imposed an additional 40-percent duty on many Brazilian products, although broad exemptions for items such as orange juice mitigated the impact.
Nonetheless, this tariff still affected essential goods like coffee, beef, and sugar.
An executive order released by the White House on Thursday stated that “certain agricultural products shall not be subject to the additional ad valorem rate of duty imposed.”
Officials indicated that “among other relevant considerations, there has been initial progress in negotiations with the Government of Brazil,” according to the order.
An annex outlined the new exclusions from this 40-percent duty, which are to be applied retroactively to November 13.
Bolsonaro lost the 2022 elections and was convicted in September for his attempts to obstruct Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva from assuming power following his victory.
Judges this month dismissed his appeal against a 27-year sentence for the unsuccessful coup attempt.
