US tariff worries tobacco sector

The Brazilian tobacco sector received with apprehension the confirmation of a 50% tariff on tobacco imports by the United States, starting on August 6. The third largest destination for national tobacco, the U.S. accounted for about 9% of the sector's exports between January and June 2025, with 19 thousand tons and US$ 129 million in revenue, according to data from MDIC/ComexStat. In the accumulated total for 2024, the exported volume was 39.8 thousand tons, generating US$ 255 million. According to Valmor Thesing, president of the Interstate Tobacco Industry Union (SindiTabaco), the sector had hoped for a possible negotiation or postponement of the measure, which did not materialize. "The maintenance of the tariff creates a very complex situation and the competitiveness of the Brazilian product in the North American market is threatened. We can expect, as a consequence, a drastic reduction in the volumes exported to American customers," he says. Despite the adverse scenario, ...