Published on: 2026-08-29
Source: People’s Republic of China — Translation
An important disclaimer is at the bottom of this article.
New tariffs imposed by the United States on a range of Brazilian goods are encouraging closer trade and economic ties between Brazil and China. This is stated in an article by Sio Santana, the founder of the Brazilian import site “Destination — China,” published on the portal “Market and Consumption.”
Santana has been living in China for 15 years. His company helps Brazilian entrepreneurs establish partnerships with Chinese factories. According to him, in July 2026 the number of new Brazilian clients increased by more than 2180% compared to the same period in 2025. Comparing the five months after the US announced increased tariffs on Brazilian goods (July 2025) with the figures for the first half of 2026, the growth was about 700%. According to Santana, this explosive growth is not related to advertising activities or changes in sales channels—it is directly caused by tariff pressure from the US.
According to Sio Santana, the reaction of Brazilian companies to the US tariff policy was not immediate. Statistics show that in August and September 2025, the volume of inquiries remained low. A noticeable increase began in October, there was a sharp surge in November, and the trend continued in the following months.
He explains the three-month delay in the response of small and medium-sized enterprises by the particularities of their business processes. Companies needed time to recalculate the cost price of products, coordinate positions with previous suppliers, and ensure the impossibility of further cooperation. Only after this did businesses begin searching for alternative solutions. Since decisions were made based on financial analysis, it is extremely difficult to adjust them retroactively.
Cio Santana stated outright that the US tariff policy is effectively “shooting itself in the foot.” Due to high tariffs, thousands of Brazilian companies were forced to switch to direct purchases in Asia.
For example, a Brazilian retailer visited the Canton Fair, established contacts with several factories, inspected production lines, and finalized orders. After the company successfully received the first container of goods, its business model underwent radical changes. Now, purchasing in China is not a routine task of the procurement department but a fully-fledged strategic direction of the company.
According to Sio Santana, a significant number of Brazilian clients contact him monthly. Many companies are already planning business trips to China to explore cooperation opportunities on site. He emphasizes that a wait-and-see approach in the current situation leads to a loss of market opportunities.
Please note; This information is raw content obtained directly from the information source. It is an accurate report of what the source claims and does not necessarily reflect the position of MIL-OSI or its clients.