Yesterday, the Office of the United States Trade Representative announced new 25% duties on many imports from Brazil starting July 22, with a wide-ranging list of exemptions that includes beef and coffee. This follows the fresh set of additional Section 301 tariffs USTR proposed on the imports of goods coming in from 60 countries.

  • The new tariff rate would apply to thousands of import categories important to the branded merchandise industry, ⁠including apparel and steel.


ICYMI: Trump Administration Plans New Tariffs On Imports From 60 Countries

This makes Brazil the first country targeted under the Trump administration’s revamped tariff strategy using Section 301 of the Trade Act of 1974. This law relies on investigations into alleged unfair trade practices, such as overproduction or the use of forced labor, to justify added duties.

Brazil is also one of the 60 countries under scrutiny in USTR’s broader forced labor investigation, which is a separate determination that could yield an added 12.5% duty on Brazilian goods. That decision is expected within the next week. Together, the duties could mean a total tariff of 37.5% for products from Brazil.

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Meanwhile, the 10% blanket tariffs under Section 122 expire July 24, and the government continues to process and issue refunds for the global tariffs struck down by the Supreme Court in February.

U.S. Customs and Border Protection launched its online refund portal for the invalidated duties on April 20, and the second phase covering more complicated entries opened on June 29. The government issued more than $49 billion in tariff refunds in June, more than double the roughly $22 billion disbursed in May. Phase 3 is expected by the end of July to cover the most complex cases, including liquidated entries and entries with an action still pending in court.

  • The government owes importers an estimated $166 billion in refunds overall.


The administration continues to challenge the court’s order to refund all tariffs paid under the invalidated regime, regardless of entry status. Thus, important questions remain about which entries will qualify, when refunds will be paid and whether some importers may need to rely on litigation to recover duties.

PPAI will continue to monitor these developments and provide updates. Subscribe to PPAI Newslink to have them delivered straight to your inbox twice a week.

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