Trump eases tariffs on Brazilian goods after negotiation progress

US President Donald Trump has moved to partially roll back tariffs on Brazilian goods, modifying his administration's earlier trade measures following diplomatic engagement between the two nations. An executive order issued Thursday amends previous directives that had imposed significant additional duties on a wide range of imports from Brazil.

Background of the Trade Dispute

The adjustment revises Executive Order 14323, which Trump signed in July declaring a national emergency over Brazilian policies he claimed threatened US economic and security interests. That original order had slapped a 40% ad valorem duty on numerous Brazilian products, escalating trade tensions between the Western Hemisphere's two largest economies and drawing strong objections from Brasília.

Diplomatic Breakthrough and Changes

The new order specifically cites "initial progress in negotiations with the Government of Brazil" as the reason for the modification. This diplomatic movement followed a recent phone conversation between President Trump and Brazilian leader Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, where both agreed to negotiate a resolution to the trade dispute. The updated annex to the July order, effective retroactively from November 13, removes certain agricultural categories from the additional tariff rate.

Ongoing Monitoring and Future Steps

According to the presidential directive, Secretary of State Marco Rubio will continue monitoring developments in US-Brazil trade relations and will advise the president on whether further action is needed. This partial tariff reduction represents the first concrete step toward de-escalation since the trade dispute began, though the broader framework of tariffs remains in effect pending further negotiations between the two governments.