Brazil's CNI seeks government front to offset U.S. 25% export tariff

The Confederação Nacional da Indústria (CNI) has asked the Brazilian federal government to create a temporary front within the Nova Indústria Brasil (NIB) to help industrial sectors hit by a new 25 % tariff imposed by the United States. The proposal was discussed by CNI president Ricardo Alban with Vice‑President Geraldo Alckmin and MDIC minister Márcio Rosa. The tariff, effective 22 July, affects products that account for 26.2 % of Brazil’s exports to the U.S., roughly US$11 billion in sales, and targets machines, equipment, footwear and furniture.

CNI warns that the measure threatens the competitiveness of Brazilian industry. Alban said, “The effects of the tariff increase are corroding the competitiveness of Brazilian industry, and we cannot spare efforts to reverse this logic and restore the Brazil‑U.S. relationship.” The organization also highlighted a 13 % decline in overall exports to the United States and that 20 of the 27 states recorded lower sales in the first half of the year. CNI proposes a coordinated response that includes the federal government, state federations, associations and unions, while continuing negotiations with Washington.