US exempts Brazilian coffee from additional 25% tariff.

Brazilian coffee was excluded from the new 25% additional tariff proposed by the United States on products exported from Brazil. The decision was announced by the Office of the United States Trade Representative (USTR) on the evening of July 15 and covers both green coffee and processed products, including instant coffee and its derivatives.

The exclusion was celebrated by the Brazilian Coffee Industry Association (Abic), the Brazilian Soluble Coffee Industry Association (Abics), and the Brazilian Coffee Exporters Council (Cecafé). According to these entities, the result is a product of the joint work developed with the National Coffee Association (NCA) and with US importers during discussions of the investigation conducted by the USTR based on Section 301 of the United States Trade Act.

In addition to maintaining the products already included in the exemption list, the U.S. government expanded the list of exempt items to include unflavored instant coffee. Therefore, all Brazilian coffees remain free from the 25% surcharge.

In a joint statement, the organizations affirm that the decision preserves a strategic market for Brazil, whose coffee exports to the United States generate between US$2 billion and US$2,5 billion annually. The US is the world's largest consumer and importer of the beverage.

Despite the positive outcome, the sector warns that a second USTR investigation, also based on Section 301, remains underway and could result in the application of an additional tariff of up to 12,5% ​​on Brazilian coffee.

Given this scenario, Abic, Abics, and Cecafé have stated that they will continue to monitor the negotiations and work to defend the competitiveness, sustainability, and quality of Brazilian coffees in the international market.