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 meat, cuts, and offal, without exception.Â
The request was filed as part of an investigation initiated under Section 301 of the Trade Act of 1974. The entity argues that Brazilian cattle ranching benefits from unfair competitive advantages related to traceability, governance, deforestation, and forced labor, and believes the restrictions should remain in place until Brazil demonstrates progress in these areas.
The request comes as the United States considers imposing new tariffs of up to 40% on Brazilian goods.
This situation also coincides with a historically severe cattle shortage in the US. Since 2019, the beef cattle herd has fallen 13% to 27.9 million head, while the total cattle stock is at its lowest level since 1952, according to the USDA.
Last year, the US purchased 272,000 tons of Brazilian beef (an 18% year-on-year increase), solidifying its position as the country’s second-largest export market. Between January and May 2026, imports reached 178,000 tons, a 15% increase compared to the same period the previous year.
In parallel, the Office of the United States Trade Representative (USTR) concluded on June 1 that certain Brazilian practices in areas such as digital trade, electronic payment services, preferential tariffs, intellectual property, access to the ethanol market, combating corruption, and illegal deforestation could harm U.S. trade.
