Exports to the United States fall 20.3% after tariff hike

In the second month of the tariff hike imposed by Donald Trump's government, Brazil's exports to the United States fell 20.3% in September, compared to the same period last year, the Ministry of Development, Industry, Commerce and Services (MDIC) announced on Monday (6). However, the growth in sales to other markets guaranteed a record in Brazilian foreign sales.

Last month, the country sold US$1.58 billion to the US market, compared to US$1.53 billion in the same period in 2024. Imports from the United States, on the other hand, rose by 14.31 billion, from US$1.58 billion to US$1.54 billion in the same comparison.

Photo: Disclosure

The increase in imports, combined with the decline in exports, caused Brazil's trade balance with the United States to be negative by US$1.77 billion last month, the ninth consecutive trade deficit with the country and the largest recorded this year.

In 2025, Brazil exported US$1.5 trillion to the United States, a decrease of only 0.61 trillion 4Q compared to the first nine months of last year. Imports totaled US$1.5 trillion 5Q, an increase of 11.81 trillion 4Q, causing the trade deficit to rise to US$1.5 trillion 5.102 trillion in 2025.

In the same period last year, Brazil had a deficit of US$1.317 billion with the United States. This trade deficit is unfavorable for Brazil, but favorable for the United States. Before the Donald Trump administration imposed the US$501,000 tariff on several Brazilian products, Brazil was running a deficit with the US market.

New markets

The decline in exports to the United States was not reflected in the overall trade balance. This is because exports to other partners grew, particularly to Asia. Exports to Singapore increased by 133.11 TP4T US$$ 500 million compared to September of last year.

For India, they increased by 124.1% (US$$ 400 million). Other highlights were Bangladesh (+80.6% or US$$ 100 million); the Philippines (+60.4% or US$$ 100 million); and China (+14.9% or US$$ 1.1 billion).

To South America, Brazilian sales grew 29.3%, driven by Argentina, where exports increased 24.9% from September last year to September this year. In the same period, sales to the European Union increased 2%.

Last month, Brazil exported US$$ 30.54 billion, a record amount for the month, with growth of 7.2% compared to September 2024. The trade surplus, however, shrank by 41.1%, reaching US$$ 2.99 billion, due to the purchase of a US$$ 2.4 billion oil platform from Singapore.