The United States will impose a 25% tariff on a range of Brazilian wood products starting July 22, after the Office of the US Trade Representative concluded a year-long investigation into Brazilian trade practices, the agency said.<\/p>\n
USTR Ambassador Jamieson Greer said the tariff, issued under Section 301 of the Trade Act of 1974, targets Brazilian policies on digital trade, preferential tariffs, anti-corruption enforcement, intellectual property, ethanol market access and illegal deforestation. Greer cited Brazilian farmers' use of illegally logged land as one practice the measure is meant to address.<\/p>\n
The investigation drew more than 360 written comments and two public hearings before USTR set the final rate. Talks between Washington and Brasilia continued for months without resolving the disputed issues, though USTR said it remains open to further negotiation.<\/p>\n
Softwood lumber is excluded from the new tariff, already covered by a separate Section 232 tariff. Brazil's lumber exports are mostly hardwood, which falls outside that exemption. Plywood, structural panels, engineered wood, moulding and millwork, and wooden doors are not exempt and will carry the full 25% rate.<\/p>\n
Brazil exported about $37.7 billion in goods to the United States in 2025. Major commodities including crude oil, coffee, aircraft and beef are excluded from the new tariff, but wood products are not among the exemptions.<\/p>\n
USTR has not said whether the 25% tariff will be added to a separate 10% tariff already applied to a broad range of imports earlier this year. If the two are combined, some wood products could face a combined rate of up to 35%. Steel and aluminum products tied to existing Section 232 tariffs, some as high as 50%, are excluded from the new Brazil-specific tariff to avoid double taxation; that exclusion does not extend to wood products.<\/p>\n
USTR is conducting a separate investigation into supply-chain practices linked to certain Brazilian export categories, which could result in additional tariffs if it proceeds.<\/p>\n
Importers and buyers sourcing panels, engineered wood, plywood, millwork or doors from Brazil have until July 22 before the new tariff takes effect.<\/p>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
The United States will impose a 25% tariff on a range of Brazilian wood products starting July 22, after the Office of the US Trade Representative concluded a year-long investigation into Brazilian trade practices, the agency said. USTR Ambassador Jamieson … Continue reading