U.S. Trade Policy Updates: Tariff Actions on Brazil, Copper, and De Minimis Imports

Brazil Tariff Increase

On July 30, 2025, the White House issued an Executive Order (EO) increasing the ad valorem duty rate to 40 percent for products of Brazil, with certain exceptions.  The tariff takes effect August 6, 2025, at 12:01 a.m. ET, and applies to all goods entered for consumption, or withdrawn from warehouse. Entries for foreign trade zone (FTZ) must be entered under “privileged foreign” status.

Exceptions include:

• Goods covered under 50 U.S.C. 1702(b) such as: personal communications, humanitarian donations, informational materials and travel related transactions.
• Goods listed in Annex 1 (at the 8-digit HTSUS subheading level).
• Goods in transit, if:
  • Loaded onto a vessel and enroute before August 6, 2025, at 12:01 a.m. ET, and
  • Entered for consumption or withdrawn from warehouse before October 5, 2025, 12:01 a.m. ET.

Note that goods will also be subject to additional IEEPA Reciprocal duty rates.

Copper Tariff Increase

Also on July 30, 2025, the White House issued a Proclamation raising the ad valorem duty rate to 50% for all imports of:

• Semi-finished copper products (copper pipes, wires, rods, sheets, and tubes), and
• Intensive copper derivative products (pipe fittings, cable connectors, and electrical components).

This Section 232 tariff is effective August 1, 2025, at 12:01 a.m. ET and applies to the copper article or copper content in the derivative product.

Key points:

• Within 90 days, the Department of Commerce will establish a process for including additional derivative copper articles to the scope of this action.
• Non-copper content of derivatives is subject to existing duty rates, including Reciprocal tariffs and IEEPA Fentanyl.  
• Goods subject to both Copper and the Auto/Auto Parts tariffs will only be subject to Auto/Auto Parts.
• FTZ entries must be under “privileged foreign” status. 
• Drawback is not available for copper tariffs.

Future Outlook: 

Commerce is expected to report to the President by June 30, 2026, for consideration of a phased universal import duty on refined copper:

• 15% starting January 1, 2027
• Increasing to 30% in 2028

Suspension of De Minimis Treatment

Effective August 29, 2025, an Executive Order suspends duty-free de minimis treatment for low value goods imported into the U.S., regardless of value, country of origin, mode of transportation, or method of entry.  Products of Hong Kong and China will continue to be suspended.

International postal shipments delivered by transportation carriers will be subject to IEEPA tariff rates, based on the designated methodology.

Resources:

• Check here for updates to Reciprocal Tariff Changes U.S. Reciprocal Tariff Tracker | C.H. Robinson
• Fact Sheet: President Donald J. Trump Addresses Threats to the United States from the Government of Brazil – The White House
• Fact Sheet: President Donald J. Trump Takes Action to Address the Threat to National Security from Imports of Copper – The White House
• Fact Sheet: President Donald J. Trump is Protecting the United States’ National Security and Economy by Suspending the De Minimis Exemption for Commercial Shipments Globally – The White House