Key facts
- Amazon deforestation in May decreased by 61.4% compared to May 2025.
- Cerrado savanna deforestation fell by 12% in May.
- May's deforestation figures are the lowest ever recorded for that month.
- Brazil aims to reach its lowest annual deforestation levels on record.
- The Trump administration proposed 25% tariffs on Brazilian imports on June 2, citing deforestation as a justification.
Brazilian officials announced a significant reduction in Amazon deforestation rates for May, a development that directly challenges the justifications used by the Trump administration for imposing additional tariffs on the South American nation. The National Institute for Space Research (INPE) and the Ministry of Environment reported that deforestation in the Amazon fell by 61.4% in May compared to the same month in 2025, with 370 square kilometers cleared. Deforestation in the Cerrado savanna also decreased by 12% during the same period.
Environment Minister João Paulo Capobianco highlighted that the May figures represent the lowest ever recorded for that month and indicated Brazil is on track to achieve its lowest annual deforestation levels. He noted that May typically sees higher rates due to the start of the dry season. Over the 10 months from August 2025 to May 2026, Amazon deforestation has already declined by 37.5% compared to the prior year.
President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva stated that the U.S. administration's accusations regarding deforestation were unfounded and that the administration lied when imposing tariffs last year. He reiterated Brazil's commitment to reducing deforestation to zero by 2030, emphasizing it as a national decision and a contribution to the planet. Deforestation is a primary driver of Brazil's greenhouse gas emissions, impacting global warming and climate regulation.
The Trump administration had proposed 25% tariffs on imports from Brazil on June 2, citing "unreasonable" trade practices, including illegal deforestation and unfair tariffs imposed by Brazil. The U.S. investigation by the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative also pointed to these issues.