Trump imposes 50% tariff on Brazilian footwear
In a strongly worded letter addressed to President Lula, the U.S. president announced the imposition of a 50% tariff on all Brazilian products entering the United States starting August 1.
Among the reasons cited, Donald Trump explained that the measure responds to what he called unfair tariff and non-tariff policies by Brazil, the accumulation of trade grievances, attacks on freedom of expression, and actions against U.S. digital companies. He also referred to the treatment of former president Jair Bolsonaro, calling the judicial process against him “a witch hunt that must end immediately.”
Trump warned that any retaliatory tariff increase by Brazil would be met with an equivalent amount added to the already announced 50%. He further revealed he had instructed the U.S. Trade Representative, Jamieson Greer, to launch an investigation under Section 301 against Brazil for its “unfair trade practices.”
At ABICALÇADOS, the association representing Brazil’s footwear manufacturers, executive president Haroldo Ferreira described the measure as “a bucket of cold water.” He added that “the United States generally runs a trade deficit, but with Brazil it has a surplus, which does not justify this decision.”
During the first half of 2025, exports to the United States totaled 5.8 million pairs, valued at US$ 111.8 million, reflecting increases of 13.5% in volume and 7.2% in value compared to the same period in 2024.
In June alone, Brazilian footwear shipments to the U.S. rose 39.4% in volume and 25.4% in value versus the same month in 2024.
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