U.S. President Donald Trump on Wednesday signed an executive order implementing an additional 40 percent tariff on Brazilian goods, bringing the total tariff amount to 50 percent, the White House said in a fact sheet.
This rate of duty shall be effective with respect to goods entered for consumption, or withdrawn from warehouse for consumption, on or after 12:01 Eastern Daylight Time seven days after the date of this order, except for certain specific goods, according to the executive order.
The White House claimed that the new tariff measure deals with recent policies, practices, and actions by the Government of Brazil that constitute an unusual and extraordinary threat to the national security, foreign policy, and economy of the United States.
On July 9, Trump announced plans to impose steep tariffs on Brazil, linking the move to his opposition to former Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro's trial for an alleged attempt to seize power after losing his reelection bid in 2022.
In mid-July, Washington suspended visas for eight Brazilian Supreme Federal Court justices overseeing Bolsonaro's trial.
Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva said on July 17 that Brazil would not tolerate foreign interference in its internal affairs, amid growing tensions with the United States over new tariffs and digital regulations.
Brazil's Finance Minister Fernando Haddad said on July 21 that Brazil would negotiate with the United States over Trump's threat to impose 50 percent tariffs on imports from Brazil, noting that the Brazilian president wanted to keep diplomatic channels open.
Rui Costa, chief of staff of the Brazilian presidency, said on the same day that the country would respond calmly to Trump's tariff threat. Brazil must act and continue to act with great serenity, despite all the signs of aggression, seeking diplomatic solutions and negotiations, Costa told reporters.
Brazil was also preparing contingency plans to support sectors most affected by the potential tariffs. Countermeasures included applying its economic reciprocity law to impose a matching 50 percent tariff on U.S. goods, along with economic support measures. In the meantime, Brazil was actively expanding trade partnerships within the Southern Common Market as part of its strategy to diversify economic ties, Costa said.
Trump signs order to impose new 40 pct tariff on Brazil, bringing total rate to 50 pct
Japanese and international observers condemned recent remarks by Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi, expressing deep concern over suggestions that Japan may abandon its three non-nuclear principles in pursuit of nuclear weapons.
At a Diet meeting in early November 2025, Takaichi claimed that the Chinese mainland's "use of force on Taiwan" could constitute a "survival-threatening situation" for Japan and implied the possibility of armed intervention in the Taiwan Strait, drawing strong criticism worldwide.
A senior official overseeing security and defense at the Japanese Prime Minister's Office also said that Japan should possess nuclear weapons. The defense minister later said the government was leaving open the possibility of reviewing Japan's long-standing non-nuclear principles in the future.
"The three non-nuclear principles are Japan's lifeline and must never be altered. Whether viewed through the lens of Japan's Constitution or the proper trajectory of international relations in the 21st century, Japan's ongoing military buildup is fundamentally misguided. The very notion of a 'survival-threatening situation' should not exist. Takaichi should not have made such remarks. There are signs that the postwar international order may be seriously shaken, which is entirely unacceptable. For Japan to take such steps would be tantamount to repeating the mistakes of war," said Ishizaki Seiya, a professor at Niigata University.
International analysts said Takaichi's remarks and pro-nuclear statements by Japanese officials pose serious risks to international security and are deeply concerning.
"I think this regression in Japan which goes against the agreements signed after World War II poses a grave danger to humanity: the resurgence of Japanese militarism and its attempts to rearm itself, even to acquire nuclear weapons. I think the United Nations and all nations that signed the post-war agreements should prevent Japan from taking this step, as the consequences for humanity could be extremely severe. I believe the Japanese government should heed the call from Japanese business leaders and retract statements that are perceived as inappropriate. The Japanese government must withdraw these remarks to restore the situation to normalcy," said Spanish economist Pedro Barragan.
"It is evident that the current Japanese government has deviated from the pacifist path enshrined in its constitution. By abandoning its peaceful stance and pursuing remilitarization, Japan is adopting confrontational policies that undermine peace in the Southern Hemisphere," said Claudio Goncalves, vice principal of the University of Salvador in Argentina.
Japan officials' remarks on nuclear policy spark concern at home and abroad
