What are the next steps and deadlines for the US trade investigation against Brazil?

USA proposes 25% tariff on Brazilian goods to punish 'unreasonable' practices
After concluding an investigation that accuses Brazil of adopting practices that harm American companies, the United States government opened a stage of public consultations before deciding whether to apply a 25% tariff on part of Brazilian imports.
The decision is made by the Office of the United States Trade Representative (USTR) and the deadline for imposing tariffs must be taken by July 15.
Before the definitive application of any sanction or corrective measure, the US government has established a schedule of public hearings and consultations to collect testimony.
Those interested in participating in the public hearing on the case must send a registration request, accompanied by a summary of the testimony, by June 22, 2026.
See below other process dates:
Until June 22, 2026: Deadline for submitting requests to appear at the public hearing, accompanied by a summary of testimony.
Until July 1, 2026: Deadline for submitting written comments on the measures proposed by the USTR.
July 6, 2026: Official public hearing held by the USTR to discuss the proposed actions.
July 15, 2026: 2026: Legal deadline for defining and applying corrective measures against Brazil.
READ ALSO: USA concludes that Brazil has 'unreasonable' practices and proposes 25% tariff on national goods
The public hearing will discuss the proposed measures. Requests to participate must be accompanied by a summary of the testimony that will be presented.
The investigation was initiated on July 15, 2025 by the United States Bureau of Commerce (USTR), following a determination by President Donald Trump. The process is supported by Section 301 of the US Trade Act of 1974.
The final report released this Monday (1st) accuses Brazil of maintaining practices that "encumber or restrict" US trade in areas such as digital payment services, protection of intellectual property, combating corruption, access to the ethanol market and combating illegal deforestation.
The conclusion of the process occurs while representatives of the Brazilian and American governments are holding negotiations to try to avoid new trade barriers.
A working group was established after the Brazilian president's visit to the American on May 7 at the White House. On social media, the USTR even celebrated the Brazilian government's "constructive engagement" to move forward on trade issues and stated that it looked forward to continuing discussions between the two countries.
Understand the context
The United States concluded an investigation this Monday (1st) that accuses the Brazilian government of committing a series of practices that "encumber or restrict" North American trade, such as PIX, illegal deforestation, in addition to problems in the application of anti-corruption laws.
The The document proposes as a response the application of 25% tariffs on Brazilian goods, with the exception of some, such as meat, fruit, coffee, aircraft, rare earths, among others.
During the initial phase of the investigation, the USTR had already collected statements from more than 30 witnesses and received more than 295 comments and responses before issuing the current opinion.
According to US Ambassador and Trade Representative Jamieson Greer, the American government maintains an intense dialogue with the government of President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, but there are still substantial differences.
"Over the last year, President Trump and I have had several constructive meetings with President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva and his cabinet, which have intensified in recent weeks. However, we continue to have substantial differences in resolving the issues identified in this investigation," said Greer.
The conclusion of the investigation occurs within the deadline established for the negotiations of the working group created by the US and Brazilian governments to address trade issues and avoid the application of new tariffs. Although the negotiations are scheduled to end this Friday (5), the participants in the talks stated that there had not been enough progress to conclude the work, revealed the Valdo Cruz blog this Monday.
The new decision frustrates Lula's intentions of having a new conversation with Trump to avoid financial retaliation and economic impacts on the classification of the PCC and CV as terrorist groups.
US Trade Representative, Jamieson Greer, speaks to the press on the day he participates in a working lunch with trade ministers of the EU, in Brussels, Belgium, November 24, 2025.
Piroschka van de Wouw/Reuters

Source: G1