Brazil Condemns U.S. Decision to Impose 25% Tariffs, Vows to Retaliate

U.S. President Donald Trump meets with Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, on Oct. 26, 2025. —Andrew Harnik—Getty Images The United States’ decision to impose a new 25% tariff on many imports from Brazil has been labeled a “lamentable milestone” by the office of Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva. ”The Brazilian government repudiates the decision announced today by the U.S. government,” the office said . “There is no justification for unilateral measures against our country.” The levies, introduced under Section 301 of the Trade Act of 1974, a tool that authorizes investigations into alleged unfair trade practices, were announced late Wednesday by U.S. Trade Representative (USTR) Jamieson Greer. “Unfair, preferential tariffs, anti-corruption interference, illegal deforestation” and "electronic payment services” were among the practices by Brazil deemed as “unreasonable” or a burden on American farmers and exporters, according to a statement from Greer’s office. “Brazil’s unfair trading practices have prevented U.S. workers and producers from accessing this important market with over 210 million consumers,” said Greer, arguing that the 25% tariffs were "necessary" to level the playing field. But Brazil has firmly rejected these findings, claiming the investigations based on Section 301 “is part of the plot built with the active collaboration” of the family of former Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro. (Far-right populist Bolsonaro was given a 27-year prison sentence in 2025 for plotting a coup after losing the 2022 election to ​Lula. U.S. President Donald Trump referred to the trial as a " witch hunt. ") “Brazil does not recognize the legitimacy of investigations without support in the multilateral rules of trade. Despite this, we have never left the negotiating table to defend national interests,” said Lula’s office.“The Brazilian government has acted tirelessly with the Office of the United States Trade Representative