For the sixth month in a row since the Donald Trump government’s tariffs, Brazilian exports to the United States accumulated a decline. Sales to China, however, continued to rise, according to data released this Thursday (5), in Brasília, by the Ministry of Development, Industry, Commerce and Services (Mdic).
In January, sales to the United States totaled US$2.4 billion, a decrease of 25.5% compared to US$3.22 billion in the same month of 2025. Imports of North American products also fell 10.9% to US$3.07 billion. The result was a deficit of US$670 million in the bilateral trade balance to the disadvantage of Brazil.
This was the sixth consecutive decline in Brazilian sales to the USA since the imposition of the 50% surcharge applied by the Donald Trump government to products from Brazil, in mid-2025. Although the tariff was partially revised at the end of last year, the Mdic estimates that 22% of Brazilian exports are still subject to the extra rates, which vary between 40% and 50%.
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China
Contrary to the performance with the United States, trade with China showed positive results. Brazilian exports to the Asian country grew 17.4% in January, totaling US$6.47 billion, against US$5.51 billion a year earlier. Imports fell 4.9% to US$5.75 billion, which guaranteed Brazil a surplus of US$720 million in the month.
Among the main trading partners, the trade flow – sum of imports and exports – with China reached US$ 12.23 billion, an increase of 5.7%. Exchange with the United States totaled US$5.47 billion, a drop of 18%, reflecting the reduction in both exports and imports.
Other markets
Trade with the European Union generated a surplus of US$310 million for Brazil, although trade flow fell 8.8% compared to January 2025. Exports to the bloc fell 6.2%, while imports decreased 11.5%.
With Argentina, Brazil recorded a surplus of US$150 million, even with the strong 19.9% drop in bilateral trade. Brazilian exports to the neighboring country fell 24.5% and imports fell 13.6% in the annual comparison.
