Brazil's chemical industry association Abiquim said the newly confirmed 25pc US tariff on Brazilian exports is unjustified, arguing the measure targets a sector in which the US already holds a trade surplus and could increase costs for US manufacturers.
The US exported about $11.5bn of chemicals to Brazil in 2025 and imported around $2.1bn, leaving a trade surplus of more than $9bn in favor of the US, Abiquim said.
While tariff exemptions cover 493 of the 1,177 chemical HS6 codes and 64-71pc of export value, 684 codes remain subject to the additional 25pc duty. The association estimates the measure could add about $66mn in costs by the end of 2026, or $133mn/yr.
Coatings, synthetic textile fibers, soaps and detergents are expected to be among the most affected segments. Abiquim called for the Brazilian government to draw up support measures for companies and to keep negotiating with Washington to expand the list of exempted products.
