The United States has confirmed it will impose a 25% tariff on selected Brazilian imports, including footwear, furniture, ethanol, machinery and sugar, under Section 301 of the Trade Act of 1974.

The measure, announced by U.S. Trade Representative Jamieson Greer, took effect on July 22 following an investigation that concluded Brazil’s policies on digital trade, intellectual property, ethanol market access, anti-corruption enforcement and illegal deforestation create an unreasonable burden on U.S. commerce.

Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva criticised the tariffs as unjustified, saying the country would invoke its Reciprocity Law and challenge the measures through the World Trade Organization. Brazilian officials have also argued that the decision is politically motivated.

The Brazilian Footwear Industries Association (Abicalçados) expressed concern over the inclusion of footwear in the tariff list. Executive President Haroldo Ferreira described the decision as a setback for a trade relationship built over decades, warning that the additional duty would undermine the competitiveness of Brazilian footwear in the U.S. market and threaten the sector’s export recovery. He added that the tariffs would also impact U.S. importers, brands, retailers and consumers due to the close commercial ties between the two countries.

Abicalçados said it opposed the proposed measure during the USTR public hearing on July 6–7, receiving support from the Footwear Distributors and Retailers of America (FDRA), the American Apparel & Footwear Association (AAFA), the United States Fashion Industry Association (USFIA), and major U.S. importers and retailers including JPT Group LLC, Bernardo Footwear and Dillard’s Inc. Despite those objections, the tariff entered into force on July 22.

审核：雒霞