The United States Cattlemen's Association (USCA) has asked US President Donald Trump to impose tariffs and restrictions on all beef products from Brazil, including beef, beef cuts, and offal, without exceptions.
The request was submitted as part of the investigation launched under Section 301 of the Trade Act of 1974. The association argues that Brazil's cattle industry benefits from unfair competitive advantages related to traceability, governance, deforestation, and forced labor, and believes the restrictions should remain in place until Brazil demonstrates meaningful progress in those areas.
The request comes as the United States considers imposing new tariffs of up to 40% on Brazilian products. A public hearing was scheduled for July 6 in Washington, with the US government's decision expected on July 15.
The proposal also comes amid historically tight cattle supplies in the United States. Since 2019, the US beef cow herd has declined by 13% to 27.9 million head, while the total cattle inventory stands at its lowest level since 1952, according to the USDA. In 2025, US beef production fell 4% to 11.8 million tons, driving higher imports from Brazil. Last year, the United States imported 272,000 tons of Brazilian beef, up 18% year-on-year, consolidating its position as Brazil's second-largest export market. Between January and May 2026, imports reached 178,000 tons, a 15% increase compared to the same period a year earlier.
Meanwhile, on June 1 the Office of the United States Trade Representative (USTR) concluded that certain Brazilian practices in areas such as digital trade, electronic payment services, preferential tariffs, intellectual property, ethanol market access, anti-corruption efforts, and illegal deforestation could harm US trade interests. As a result, it proposed an additional 25% tariff on Brazilian products, subject to the public consultation process before a final decision is made.
Source: Canal Rural
