Measure comes into effect retroactively from 2:01 am (Brasília time) on Thursday (Nov 13)
The President of the United States, Donald Trump (Republican Party), announced this Friday (14.Nov.2025) the reduction of import tariffs on beef, coffee, tomatoes and bananas, among other products. The decree signed by Trump overturns the 10% reciprocal tariff imposed in April. However, the extra rate of 40%, which came into effect in August, does not change. The measure comes into effect retroactively from 2:01 am (Brasília time) on Thursday (Nov 13). Here is the full text (PDF – 91 kB).
In the text, Trump said he made the decision after “consider the information and recommendations presented by these authorities, the progress of negotiations with various commercial partners, the current domestic demand for certain products and the domestic capacity to produce them, among other factors”.
The suspension of tariffs should favor countries that export commoditiessuch as Brazil – the world’s largest producer of coffee and the 2nd largest producer of beef, behind only the USA, according to the USDA (US Department of Agriculture). Product details are attached. Read the full text (PDF – 2MB).
Among the products that will have reduced rates are:
- beef and derivatives – both fresh and frozen, including carcasses, halves, cuts and meat prepared in brine, dried or smoked;
- fruits, vegetables and tubers – tomatoes, bananas, pineapples, avocados, guavas, cassava, among others;
- café – can be roasted, decaffeinated or not;
- tea – green, black and matt;
- cocoa – can be roasted, decaffeinated,
- miscellaneous and processed products – coconut oil, barley, flour, banana pulp, orange juice, among others;
- fertilizers – animal or vegetable fertilizers, nitrogenous (urea, ammonium sulfate), phosphate and mixed (containing nitrogen, phosphorus or potassium).
The order signed by Trump removes part of these goods from the tariff regime “reciprocal”announced in April, which provided for charges of 10% to 50%. The items, however, are not completely exempt from taxation. Many of the products now removed from additional tariffs have seen some of the biggest price increases since the government began, driven by both the tariff and low domestic supply.
Brazil, the main supplier of coffee to the USA, has been facing 50% tariffs since August 6th. In the same month, Brazilian coffee exports to the North American country fell 46% year-on-year, totaling 301,000 bags. The data are from Cecafé (Brazilian Coffee Exporters Council). Despite the reduction, Brazil continues with an extra rate of 40%, which has been in force since August, due to the trials of former president Jair Bolsonaro (PL) in the STF (Supreme Federal Court).
The text signed by Trump on July 9 cites “persecution, intimidation, harassment, censorship and politically motivated prosecution” against Bolsonaro. The republican justified the increase due to the Brazilian government’s treatment of the former president, whom he said he respected “deeply”.
Rapprochement
On Thursday (Nov 12), Minister Mauro Vieira (Foreign Affairs) and the US Secretary of State, Marco Rubio met for the 3rd time since the beginning of direct negotiations between the 2 countries, on October 6, to discuss the proposal that reduces tariffs on Brazilian products –in force since August 6th. Vieira stated that the response to the proposal sent should be published in “next week”.
The two spoke on Wednesday (Nov 12), during a break from the G7 meetings, in Niagara (Canada). The chancellor spoke again about Planalto’s urgency in accelerating negotiations with the White House. There have already been 38 days of talks without a trade agreement.
In the text that reduces tariffs, Trump also stated that, as the measure will have retroactive effect and “will demand reimbursement” of customs duties already charged, these amounts “will be processed in accordance with applicable law and U.S. Customs and Border Protection standard procedures.”
