Last week, the United States government announced the imposition of a 50% tariff on products imported from Brazil, aimed at reinforcing a political dispute and impacting key sectors of the Brazilian economy. This measure, which affects everything from agricultural commodities to manufactured items and aircraft, can increase input costs and reduce the competitiveness of Brazilian exporters in the American market. Below, we present some strategies to minimize the impact of this fee and keep your operations profitable.
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Production Adaptation: Move Assembly to Exempt Countries

An efficient way to reduce the rate is to move manufacturing or assembly stages to countries that have favorable trade agreements with the U.S. - such as Mexico or Canada, beneficiaries of the USMCA (United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement). Upon final assembly in eligible territory, the product is considered “North American origin” or “USMCA origin” and is therefore exempt from the 50% fee.

• Example: a Brazilian furniture manufacturer can send finished components to an assembly unit in Mexico and, from there, export to the USA without suffering the high tariff.
• Benefit: preservation of margins and protection of the value chain without sacrificing quality and original design.

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Local Business Partnerships and Acquisitions: Earn the “Made in USA” Seal

Another strategy is to form alliances with or acquire stakes in established American companies. This creates a co-manufacturing or local subsidiary process, allowing your products to receive the “Made in USA” seal and thus evade the import tariff.

• Example: a shoe brand can enter into a joint venture with a manufacturer in the USA, transferring part of the production line to local units.
• Benefit: direct access to American distribution channels, improvement of the perception of quality and simplification of compliance.

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Redesigning the Logistics Structure: Using Free Trade Zones and Strategic Shipping Points

Reviewing your supply chain and selecting U.S. entry points in Foreign‑Trade Zones (FTZ) allows products to be imported, stored, and processed without immediate payment of fees. Only when the goods leave the FTZ for the domestic market does the rate become applicable - and, in some cases, it may even be waived if there is a significant transformation of the product.

• Example: an electronics exporter can consolidate loads at an FTZ warehouse in Florida (near the port of Jacksonville) and schedule distribution according to demand, avoiding the application of the tariff to the final point of sale.
• Benefit: greater flexibility in customs clearance, optimization of cash flows and reduction of operating costs.

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The 50% tariff imposed on Brazilian products in the USA represents a significant but not insurmountable challenge. Adapting production, establishing local partnerships, and recreating your logistics are viable ways to maintain your competitiveness, protect margins, and continue growing in the American market.

If you want to understand the topic even better, at AdvizeOne we offer strategic advice to structure your company in the USA and implement solutions such as:

• Feasibility analysis of production reallocation and international due diligence support;
• Identification and negotiation of partnerships or acquisitions of North American manufacturers;
• Integrated logistics planning and coordination with Akin Logistics.

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Schedule a meeting with our experts and discover how to circumvent tariffs and keep your operation strong in the United States.