Brazil's Amazon deforestation drops as US tariffs on Brazil face criticism

Brazil announced a steep decline in Amazon deforestation for May, reporting a 61.4% reduction compared with the same month a year earlier and a total loss of 370 sq km of forest. Deforestation in the central Cerrado savanna fell 12%, and over the ten‑month period from August 2025 to May 2026 the Amazon saw a 37.5% decrease versus the previous year. Environment Minister João Paulo Capobianco said the figures are the lowest ever recorded for May and signal progress toward Brazil’s goal of zero deforestation by 2030.

The Trump administration had proposed 25% tariffs on Brazilian imports, justifying the move by accusing Brazil of illegal deforestation and unfair trade practices. Brazilian officials, including President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, rejected the claim, saying the new data “debunk the unfair and unfounded accusation” and labeling the US stance as dishonest. Lula stressed that Brazil’s forest‑preservation efforts benefit the nation, the Amazon and the world.

Commentary in Bloomberg had framed the tariffs as hypocritical, noting President Trump’s history of dismissing climate change while targeting Brazil over rainforest loss. Brazilian officials countered that the tariff rationale was misplaced given the recent deforestation declines.