BRAZIL –   The Brazilian Association of Mechanically-Processed Timber Industry (Abimci) has issued a statement regarding the Executive Order announced by the U.S. government on July 30, which imposes new tariffs on Brazilian exports.

According to a preliminary analysis, most wood sector products — especially those from planted forests — are not included in the list of exemptions outlined in Annex I of the measure. This suggests that these products may face an additional 40% tariff on top of the existing 10% reciprocal tariff, in effect since April 2.

Abimci highlights uncertainties regarding items under ongoing Section 232 investigations of the Trade Expansion Act, listed in Annex II of the Executive Order published in April. Although these were mentioned as exempt in the July 30 announcement, the wording of the document is ambiguous and may still allow for the 40% surcharge to be applied.

As of now, only the products explicitly listed in Annex I of the July 30 Executive Order (starting on page 6), such as tropical sawn wood (NCM 44.07.29.02), are clearly exempt from the new tariff.

These interpretations remain preliminary as the industry awaits the implementation guide from U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP), which is expected to provide definitive guidance on enforcement procedures.

Abimci continues to monitor the situation and urges the Brazilian federal government to intensify diplomatic and technical negotiations with U.S. authorities to avoid retaliatory tariff measures that could worsen the industry’s already fragile outlook.