In the month when the 50% surcharge imposed by Trump on Brazil took effect, the country’s exports to the United States fell 18.5% in August compared to the same period last year, according to data released by the Trade Ministry.
According to the ministry, Brazil sold US$ 2.76 billion to the United States during the period, down from US$ 3.39 billion in the same month of 2024 —a decrease of US$ 600 million to the world’s largest economy.
Despite the drop in sales to the U.S., the ministry reported a 3.9% increase in Brazil’s total exports last month. The data show strong growth in foreign sales to China, Mexico, and Argentina.
Among the main declines in export volumes to the United States were iron ore, which fell 100% (meaning the country did not export the product to the U.S.), aircraft and parts, down 84.9% compared to the same period in 2024, semi-finished iron and steel products (-23.4%), petroleum fuel oils (-37%), and sugars and molasses (-88.4%).
The ministry’s Director of Foreign Trade Statistics and Studies, Herlon Brandão, said it is not possible to know whether there was a reduction in prices in exports to other countries to stimulate demand and offset the effects of the tariffs, or whether the increase in exports to China and Mexico is related to the tariff hike.
