Brazil’s Exports To US Fell 25.5% In January, Sales To China Rose

By Wellton Maximo

For the sixth consecutive month since the Trump administration’s tariff increase, Brazilian exports to the United States have fallen. Sales to China, however, continued to rise, according to data released on Thursday (Feb. 5) in Brasília by the Ministry of Development, Industry, Trade and Services.

In January, sales to the United States totaled USD 2.4 billion, a 25.5 percent decrease compared to USD 3.22 billion in the same month of 2025. Imports of US products fell 10.9 percent to USD 3.07 billion, resulting in a USD 670 million bilateral trade deficit for Brazil.

This was the sixth consecutive decline in Brazilian sales to the US since the imposition of the 50 percent surcharge applied by the Donald Trump administration to Brazilian products in mid-2025. Although the tariff was partially revised at the end of last year, the ministry estimates that 22 percent of Brazilian exports are still subject to the extra rates, which vary between 40 percent and 50 percent.

In contrast to the United States, Brazil recorded positive results with China. Brazilian exports to the Asian country grew 17.4 percent in January, totaling USD 6.47 billion, compared to USD 5.51 billion a year earlier. Imports fell 4.9 percent to USD 5.75 billion, ensuring a surplus of USD 720 million for Brazil in the month.

Trade flow

China and the US are Brazil’s main trading partners. The trade flow - the sum of imports and exports - reached USD 12.23 billion, a 5.7 percent increase with China. Trade with the United States totaled USD 5.47 billion, an 18 percent decrease, reflecting reductions in both exports and imports.