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Alert August 13, 2025

U.S. Tariffs and Sanctions Against Brazil and the Brazilian Response

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Alert July 17, 2025

U.S. Tariffs and Brazil’s Potential Response: A Guide for Businesses

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Alert June 20, 2025

Brazil’s Supreme Court to Strike Down Internet Governance Safe Harbor Clause

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U.S.-Brazil Trade Relations: Insights and Resources

Since July 2025, bilateral relations between the United States and Brazil entered a phase of significant economic and political tensions. The two governments have adopted measures that impact companies reliant on bilateral trade and with investments in the U.S. and Brazilian markets.

Covington’s cross-practice team is uniquely positioned to help companies navigate these challenges. This page offers resources to companies impacted by the measures adopted by both governments. It includes a profile of Covington’s team working on U.S.-Brazil issues, representative matters, client alerts with insights on these measures, and a reference list of official public documents by both governments related to them.

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Our Team

Brazil Initiative
Public Policy
Trade
Sanctions and Compliance

Representative Matters

  • Advised a U.S. business association on the impact of Brazil’s Supreme Court strike down of the country’s internet governance safe harbor clause.
  • Advising a large Brazilian energy company on compliance with U.S. and E.U. sanctions.
  • Advising a Brazilian manufacturing company on compliance with U.S. sanctions and trade controls, and on matters pertaining to screening of third parties.
  • Advised a large Brazil-based financial institution on compliance with U.S. sanctions.
  • Advised a large Brazil-based energy company on matters pertaining to screening of third parties relating to sanctions and trade controls.
  • Advised a U.S.-based importer of certain manufactured goods from Brazil on tariffs matters.

  
Official Public Documents

Since July 2025, bilateral relations between the United States and Brazil entered a phase of significant economic and political tensions. The two governments have adopted measures that impact companies reliant on bilateral trade and with investments in the U.S. and Brazilian markets.

Below is a repository of official public documents from the U.S. and Brazil, including related to recent negotiations to stabilize bilateral relations.

United States

The U.S. Government has adopted four sets of measures targeting Brazil: tariffs, other trade measures, Global Magnitsky sanctions, and visa revocations. Most of these measures were adopted after an initial letter issued by President Donald Trump to Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva. There are additional executive branch measures and draft legislation that might impact U.S.-Brazil relations.

Letters by President Trump

Tariffs – Brazil-Specific

Tariffs – Reciprocal Tariffs Impacting Brazil

Tariffs – Sector-Specific Tariffs Impacting Brazil

Tariffs – Duty-Free De Minimis Suspension Impacting Brazil

Tariffs – Secondary Tariffs that Might Impact Brazil

Other Trade Measures

Global Magnitsky Sanctions

Visa Revocations and Travel-Related Measures

Draft Legislation that Might Impact U.S.-Brazil Relations

Brazil

The Government of Brazil has adopted four sets of measures in response to U.S. actions: legislation and regulation to retaliate, dispute settlement proceedings, other actions in response to U.S. measures, and measures to support companies and workers.  They also include Brazilian Supreme Court decisions and draft legislation that might impact U.S.-Brazil relations.

Letter by President Lula

Legislation and Regulation to Retaliate

World Trade Organization Dispute Settlement Proceedings

Other Actions in Response to U.S. Measures

Measures to Support Companies and Workers

Brazilian Supreme Court Decisions that Impact U.S.-Brazil Relations

Draft Legislation that Might Impact U.S.-Brazil Relations

U.S.-Brazil Negotiations

On September 23, 2025, President Trump and President Lula briefly met on the margins of the United Nations General Assembly in New York and agreed to further bilateral discussions.  On October 6, 2025, they had a telephone call and agreed to immediately launch bilateral negotiations, that are ongoing.

Readouts

News and Insights

Events