The Brazilian government initiated an administrative procedure on Thursday to apply commercial reciprocity measures against the United States, responding to additional tariffs of 12.5% to 25% imposed by Washington on various Brazilian exports over allegations of unfair practices, under the Economic Reciprocity Law sanctioned by President Lula da Silva in 2025.
The procedure, based on legislation unanimously approved by the National Congress, authorizes countermeasures against trade, legal, or political barriers imposed by other countries or blocs, the Executive communicated through a statement cited by local press. An analysis will determine whether the US unilateral measures, adopted under Section 301 of US trade law, fit the provisions of the Brazilian statute.
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The opening of this process does not entail the immediate application of new tariffs on the United States, the portal Metrópoles specified.
Concurrently, Brazil’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs notified the US government of a request for diplomatic consultations, aimed at mitigating or nullifying the effects of the measures and countermeasures foreseen in the law.
Brasil inicia proceso de reciprocidad comercial contra Estados Unidos
El Gobierno de Lula da Silva activó la Ley de Reciprocidad Económica en respuesta a los aranceles de entre 12,5 % y 25 % que Washington impuso a productos brasileños. ¿Cómo responderá Estados Unidos a… pic.twitter.com/EoUghNfDbf
— teleSUR TV (@teleSURtv) August 14, 2026
The announcement comes amid broader bilateral trade tensions. The conflict has escalated following efforts by political allies of former far-right President Jair Bolsonaro—including Deputy Eduardo Bolsonaro—who engaged with officials of the Trump administration.
The US tariff surcharge specifically consists of a 25% levy applied to approximately 3,000 Brazilian export products.
President Lula da Silva’s government has rejected the measure as arbitrary, a position that enjoys the backing of more than half of the Brazilian citizenry, which perceives the US tariff decisions as unjustified.
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