Trump's tariff hits domestic industry and could raise prices in the US

The 50% tariff imposed by US President Donald Trump on Brazilian products starting August 1st represents a severe blow to key sectors of the national industry, such as beef, coffee and orange juice.

According to government officials interviewed for this report, the measure compromises the competitiveness of Brazilian exports to the US and creates real risks for producers and supply chains, in addition to weighing on the pockets of North American consumers.

The United States market is strategic for the country: Brazilian producers are the largest supplier of Arabica coffee—the main variety consumed in the US, recognized for its quality and higher commercial value—to North American consumers.

Three out of four Americans drink coffee daily, and the world's largest economy doesn't produce enough. In practice, consumers will "foot the bill" for the tariff increase.

In the case of beef, the situation is even more delicate for North Americans, as the market is experiencing a downturn in livestock production, which is driving up domestic prices.

Brazil is the leading meat exporter to the US. In April alone, there was a 500% increase in sales of fresh beef, processed beef, offal, and salted products to the country.

For Abiec (Brazilian Association of Meat Exporting Industries), the situation is serious and even compromises food security in the USA .

The orange juice sector, particularly in Florida, is also expected to suffer significant consequences. To give you an idea, according to data from Agrostat, a monitoring tool from the Ministry of Agriculture, in 2024 alone, Brazil exported 1.3 million tons of the product to the US, generating US$1.2 billion in revenue.

In addition to these, other important segments such as cellulose, wood, oils and minerals also face risks with the measure, which could lead to a decline in exports and a negative impact on Brazilian industry.

The general assessment is that American consumers will feel the effects of the tariff in their pockets, with rising prices for basic foods, further putting pressure on the US inflationary scenario and generating a global impact.

Thus, the tariff imposed by Trump not only affects domestic industry, but could trigger a cascading effect that affects both sides of the trade relationship, increasing risks and uncertainties for producers and consumers.