USA could raise tariffs on Brazilian footwear again. Lula accuses
Since April 2025, when the United States government decided to impose 50% tariffs on imports of Brazilian footwear, strongly affecting exporters, subsequent negotiations managed to reduce that rate to 10% as of February 2026.
The measure brought relief to Brazilian exporters, considering that the United States is the main destination for shipments.
Over time, uncertainty has once again emerged for the industrial sector, following information released by the U.S. government indicating that imports of Brazilian footwear could once again be taxed with a 25% tariff.
In this regard, the executive president of ABICALÇADOS (the industrial entity that represents manufacturers), Haroldo Ferreira, stated that “the possibility of a new additional tariff creates more uncertainty for both Brazilian exporters and U.S. importers”, emphasizing that the initiative has the potential to create a competitive disadvantage for national exports in favor of other exporters to the United States, especially those from Asia.
Although the possible measure is a preliminary decision and recommendation from the Office of the United States Trade Representative, the information had a negative impact on the industry.
On the government side, and in view of the possible increase in import tariffs on Brazilian products, President Lula stated that the sons of former president Jair Bolsonaro are responsible for the renewed intention of the United States Government to impose new 25% tariffs on the country’s exports, and accused them of being “traitors to the homeland”. He was referring to the visit that Eduardo and Flávio Bolsonaro, the latter a pre-candidate for the October 2026 elections, made a few days ago to Trump at the White House, where they also asked that Brazil’s two largest criminal groups be classified as terrorist organizations.
Meanwhile, Brazilian Vice President Geraldo Alckmin said that “the talks between Lula and Trump will continue in search of a better trade relationship for both countries”.
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