Brazil and U.S. Production Entities Push for New Trade Talks to Avert 25% Tariffs

Brazilian and U.S. business organizations, including the National Confederation of Industry (CNI), Amcham Brasil, and the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, have jointly called for a new round of trade negotiations aimed at preventing the United States from imposing a 25% tariff on Brazilian goods. The U.S., accusing Brazil of trade-restrictive practices, is expected to decide on the tariff by July 15, 2026.

To avoid this outcome, officials from Brazil’s Ministries of Foreign Affairs and Development, Industry, Commerce and Services have engaged in technical discussions with the Trump administration. A virtual meeting between Minister Márcio Elias Rosa and White House trade official Jamieson Greer highlighted Brazil’s commitment under President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva to open negotiations.

The U.S. Trade Representative (USTR) is conducting public hearings allowing stakeholders to present their views, amid concerns from companies like Coca-Cola and Tesla about potential tariff impacts.

The joint statement from the entities proposes a structured, two-step negotiation process. The initial phase focuses on immediate commercial priorities such as market access for energy security products, regulatory cooperation in the automotive and pharmaceutical sectors, and anti-piracy efforts. Subsequently, talks would expand to strategic areas like digital economy collaboration and industrial decarbonization.

They also advocate extending the WTO moratorium on tariffs for electronic transmissions and implementing the anti-corruption protocols of the ATEC agreement. The organizations argue that negotiated agreements promise more sustainable, mutually beneficial results than tariffs, protecting businesses, workers, and consumers on both sides.