US launches new round of tariffs with 25% tax on most Brazil imports

The United States will impose a 25 percent tariff on most imports from Brazil starting July 22, the U.S. Trade Representative's office said on Wednesday, the first action under the Trump administration's new tariff strategy that could eventually affect dozens of countries.

The new programme, launched after the U.S. Supreme Court tore down the centrepiece of Trump's tariff system earlier this year, is based on investigations into unfair trade practices under Section 301 of the U.S. Trade Act.

Close to 80 trade investigations have been opened by the USTR office and a new wave of tariffs could be imposed on dozens of countries, including China, the European Union, India, Japan, Korea and Mexico.

Wednesday's announcement follows aproposalby the Trump administration in June to impose a punitive tariff of 25 percent on many imports from Brazil after deciding its practices were unfair on a range of issues from digital trade to illegal deforestation. "Extensive negotiations with Brazil over the past year have not resolved these issues, but we remain open to continuing negotiations with Brazil to