Key facts
- Brazil and the U.S. have agreed to hold new meetings to discuss tariffs.
- Brazilian billionaire Joesley Batista, a co-owner of JBS, met with President Donald Trump to discuss lowering beef import tariffs.
- Trump announced a temporary easing of beef tariffs to help lower prices.
- The U.S. previously imposed a 25% tariff on Brazilian products in July, followed by a 12.5% tariff on imports related to forced labor ban enforcement.
- Brazilian officials stated they disagree with the U.S. measures, deeming them incompatible with multilateral trade rules.
Brazilian and U.S. officials held virtual discussions on Monday regarding tariffs, agreeing to schedule further meetings. The talks resumed dialogue between the two nations after a phone call between Presidents Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva and Donald Trump. Brazilian Foreign Minister Mauro Vieira and Industry and Trade Minister Marcio Elias Rosa met with U.S. Trade Representative Jamieson Greer. Minister Rosa indicated that while dialogue has resumed, no specific negotiating points were resolved. The U.S. had previously imposed a 25% tariff on Brazilian products in July, citing unfair trade practices, and a subsequent 12.5% tariff on imports from Brazil related to forced labor ban enforcement. Brazilian authorities reiterated their opposition to the U.S. measures, asserting they are incompatible with international trade rules. Separately, Brazilian billionaire Joesley Batista, a co-owner of meatpacker JBS, reportedly met with President Trump on August 20 to discuss lowering beef import taxes, after which Trump announced a temporary easing of beef tariffs.