Trump’s tariff against Brazil threatens hamburger, icon of US culture

In the US, given the lack of enough production to serve the market and due to an anticipation of purchases to avoid tariffs, a significant leap was recorded in Brazilian sales in recent months.

A study by the Brasil-Eua Chamber of Commerce found that the meat became the 7th largest product sold to the US market, with US $ 791.2 million in the first half of 2025 and an increase of 142% over the same period of 2024. “The trend of bovine meat sales was observed in late 2024 by the highest demand in the US, combined with a lower offer in that country,” he said. The increase put the US as the second largest importer of beef in Brazil.

The hamburger crisis has divided the Americans. The Texas Restaurant Association, for example, criticized Trump’s policy of raising fees. “Increased rates will raise food costs and further press restaurants and consumers. This volatility threatens companies, jobs and gastronomic experiences on which Texans depend and enjoy,” he said.

The president of National Restaurant Association, Michelle Korsmo, was also concerned. “The application of new rates on this scale will create changes and disturbances that restaurant operators will have to face to keep their restaurants open,” he said.

“The biggest concerns of restaurant operators – from community restaurants to national brands – are that tariffs will increase food and packaging costs and increase uncertainty about availability management while increasing consumer prices,” he added.

But there are those who are celebrating. For the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association (NCBA), which represents US meat producers, the fare against Brazil is “a good start”.