U.S. trade shifts impact Brazil, Dominican Republic, and Philippines

Trade relations between the United States and several nations are undergoing significant shifts due to new import quotas and tariff disputes.

The United States Trade Representative (USTR) has announced a redistribution of raw cane sugar import quotas for fiscal year 2027. As a result, Brazil's allocation will decrease by approximately 56,000 metric tons, leaving it with a total of 100,000 metric tons. This volume is being redistributed among 28 countries, with the Dominican Republic receiving the largest single portion (11,931 metric tons) and the Philippines receiving 9,151 metric tons.

In the beef sector, Brazil is positioned to significantly increase its exports to the U.S. market. Projections suggest an increase of approximately 114,000 metric tons of beef trimmings between September and November, potentially representing a 214% increase compared to the same period in 2025.

Concurrently, Brazil is engaging in formal consultations with the World Trade Organization (WTO) to contest U.S. tariffs of up to 37.5% imposed on Brazilian exports. Additionally, previous U.S. tariffs have impacted other sectors, such as Brazilian timber production, which saw a decline in volume due to reduced export demand. In the dairy sector, Italian producers are looking toward the Mercosur bloc, particularly Brazil, as a growth opportunity following potential trade agreement developments.