Brazil's Exports to US Plummet Amid Trade Tensions

Strategic Insights -

Brazil's exports to the US declined significantly in September, with a 20.3% drop in trade, totaling $2.58 billion, according to the Foreign Trade Secretariat of the Ministry of Development, Industry, Trade and Services. This decline is the second consecutive monthly drop since the Trump administration imposed new tariff surcharges on several Brazilian products. The sharpest declines were seen in boneless beef, green (unroasted) coffee, and prepared beef products. On the other hand, the US saw a 14.3% increase in imports, reaching $4.35 billion in September. This, combined with the export decline, resulted in a $1.77 billion trade deficit for Brazil, its ninth consecutive monthly trade shortfall with the US.

Key Takeaways:

  • Brazil's exports to the US declined by 20.3% in September, reaching $2.58 billion.
  • The decline is the second consecutive monthly drop since the Trump administration imposed new tariff surcharges on several Brazilian products.
  • The sharpest declines in shipments to the US were seen in boneless beef (down 66%), green (unroasted) coffee (down 29%), and prepared beef products (down 20.5%).
  • Exports of beef tallow also dropped by 7.1%, while shipments of semi-manufactured iron and steel products fell by 7.7%.
  • The US imports rose by 14.3% in September, reaching $4.35 billion.
  • The increase in imports, combined with the export decline, left Brazil with a $1.77 billion trade deficit, the ninth consecutive monthly shortfall with the US.
  • Brazilian products subject to the new tariffs fell by 25.7% year over year, while those exempt rose by 12.3%, driven by higher shipments of oil and petroleum products.
  • The federal government has launched a credit support program for affected exporters, allocating 30 billion reais from the Export Guarantee Fund and additional resources from the BNDES development bank.
  • Despite lower exports to the US, Brazil's total exports grew by 7.2% in September, reaching $30.53 billion, driven by increased sales to other markets, particularly Singapore, India, and Bangladesh.

Statistics:

  • Brazil's exports to the US declined by 20.3% in September, totaling $2.58 billion.
  • The US imports rose by 14.3% in September, reaching $4.35 billion.
  • The trade deficit between Brazil and the US widened to $1.77 billion in September, its ninth consecutive monthly shortfall.
  • Brazilian products subject to new tariffs fell by 25.7% year over year, while those exempt rose by 12.3%.
  • The federal government allocated 30 billion reais from the Export Guarantee Fund and additional resources from the BNDES development bank to support affected exporters.
  • Brazil's total exports grew by 7.2% in September, reaching $30.53 billion.

Sources:

  • UPI: "Brazil's exports to US fall 20.3% in September, total $2.58 billion" (Oct. 17, 2025)
  • Amcham Brasil: "Brazil-U.S. Trade Monitor"
  • Foreign Trade Secretariat of the Ministry of Development, Industry, Trade and Services: "Monthly Report"
  • Ministry of Development, Industry, Trade and Services: "Credit Support Program for Exporters"