Fiesp criticizes the Brazilian government’s actions in negotiating the new tariff

The federation also informed that it will continue to work with partners in the United States to seek the reversal or mitigation of tariffs, with the expansion of the list of exempt products. (Read the full note below) CNI says tariff worsens losses and threatens exports The National Confederation of Industry (CNI) also reacted to the announcement of the new 25% tariff on Brazilian products and stated that the measure increases the difficulties already faced by exporting companies. In a note released this Wednesday, the entity assessed that the surcharge worsens a scenario that was already putting pressure on Brazilian sales to the United States and increases insecurity for companies in both countries. According to the CNI, the effects of the tariffs adopted by the United States since 2025 are already felt in bilateral trade. According to the entity, Brazilian exports to the American market fell 13% in the period, equivalent to US$2.6 billion. The fall was mainly driven by the reduction in sales of industrial goods, including steel products, petroleum derivatives and chemical wood pulp. "The effects of the increase in tariffs by the United States are being increasingly felt by Brazilian industry: 20 of the 27 states reduced their exports to the North American market in the first half of the year. Given today's announcement, the scenario tends to worsen, further eroding the competitiveness of Brazilian industry. We cannot spare efforts to reverse this logic and resume the relationship that Brazil and the United States have built", stated the president of the CNI, Ricardo Alban. The confederation also reported that 20 of the 27 Brazilian states recorded a drop in exports to the United States in the first half of 2026, compared to the same period of the previous year. Among the main exporting states, Minas Gerais (-18.9%), Espírito Santo (-19.2%), Rio Grande do Sul (-22.6%), Santa Catarina (-32.9%) and Paraná (-32.9%) showed significant declines, according to the entity's data. Despite the reduction in sales, the United States remained the main export destination for the Brazilian manufacturing industry in the period. FIEMG sees risk of loss of competitiveness The Federation of Industries of the State of Minas Gerais (FIEMG) also expressed concern about the American decision. In a note, the entity assessed that the additional 25% tariff increases the costs of accessing the United States market and threatens the competitiveness of Brazilian products. According to FIEMG, the effective impact will depend on the list of products affected, the tariff classification of each commodity and the treatment granted to competitors from other countries. The federation also warned of possible effects such as replacement of Brazilian suppliers, reduction of profit margins and renegotiation of commercial contracts. "The 25% tariff significantly changes the conditions of access for Brazilian products to the American market. It will be essential to ensure clarity about the products affected, the deadlines for implementing the measure and the treatment of contracts in progress, reducing uncertainty for exporting companies", said Verônica Winter, coordinator of International Business Facilitation at the FIEMG International Business Center. The entity defended the reinforcement of negotiations between Brazil and the United States and asked for clear rules for contracts already signed, cargo in transit and for the implementation of new tariffs, in order to avoid a prolonged loss of competitiveness of the national industry. (Read the note on below) Read the notes in full: Fiesp "Fiesp regrets, with deep concern, the application of a new surcharge on exports of Brazilian products to the North American market. The decision is especially harmful because it is unilaterally limited to Brazil, which significantly reduces the country's competitiveness against global competitors. At a time of extreme global economic sensitivity, the Brazilian government's choice for unnecessary diplomatic noise, personalistic criticism, electoral speeches and political misalignment with Washington ended up undermining ties built over more than 200 years of bilateral cooperation. Commercial retaliation could have been avoided with technical and pragmatic management, as Fiesp sought during public hearings in the USA and other opportunities last year. "The North American market is the main destination for Brazilian products with high added value. This new 'toll' imposed on exports adds to the chronic reality faced by our companies, which live with a high tax burden and the highest real interest rates in the world, among other challenges", says Paulo Skaf, president of Fiesp. Fiesp reaffirms its commitment to business diplomacy and will continue to work constructively with partners in the US so that tariffs are reversed or partially mitigated in the expansion of the list of exemptions." FIEMG "FIEMG criticizes 25% US tariff and warns of loss of competitiveness of Brazilian industry Measure increases access costs to the North American market and threatens the competitiveness of Brazilian products The Federation of Industries of the State of Minas Gerais (FIEMG) assesses with great concern the decision by the United States government, announced this Wednesday (15), to apply an additional tariff of 25% on Brazilian products. The measure creates a relevant difference in relation to suppliers from other countries who compete for the same buyers. The effective impact will depend on the products achieved, the tariff classification of each commodity and the treatment granted to international competitors. Possible consequences include the replacement of Brazilian suppliers, pressure to reduce prices and margins and the renegotiation of contracts, deadlines and commercial conditions. “The 25% tariff significantly changes the conditions of access for Brazilian products to the American market. It will be essential to ensure clarity about the products affected, the deadlines for implementing the measure and the treatment of contracts in progress, reducing uncertainty for exporting companies", says Verônica Winter, coordinator of International Business Facilitation at the FIEMG International Business Center. FIEMG reinforces the need to intensify negotiations between Brazil and the United States and guarantee clear rules for contracts already signed, cargo in transit and implementation of the measure, avoiding a prolonged loss of competitiveness for the Brazilian industry."