Brazilian exports to the United States fell 11.3 percent in April compared to the same month last year, while sales to China grew 32.5 percent during the period. The data were released on Thursday (May 7) by Brazil’s Ministry of Development, Industry, Trade, and Services.

Sales to the United States totaled USD 3.121 billion in April of this year, compared to USD 3.517 billion recorded in April 2025. Imports of US products fell 18.1 percent, from USD 3.780 billion to USD 3.097 billion.

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With these figures, the trade balance between both countries closed April with a USD 20 million surplus for Brazil.

Impact of tariffs

This marked the ninth consecutive decline in Brazilian exports to the US market since the Trump administration imposed a 50 percent tariff in mid-2025.

Despite the removal of some Brazilian products from the tariff list at the end of last year, the ministry estimates that 22 percent of Brazilian exports will remain subject to the tariffs imposed in July 2025. This group includes items subject only to the 40 percent additional tariff, as well as products on which the extra rate is added to the 10 percent base rate.

According to Herlon Brandão, director of the Department of Statistics and Foreign Trade Studies, the figures indicate a gradual recovery in trade flows.

“We are still seeing a decline in exports, but they have been recovering over the past few months. This year, we surpassed USD 3 billion after several months below that level,” said Brandão.

Chinese growth

Conversely, Brazilian exports to China grew by 32.5 percent in April, reaching USD 11.610 billion, compared to USD 8.763 billion in the same month of 2025.

Imports from the Asian country also increased, rising 20.7 percent from USD 5.018 billion to USD 6.054 billion.

This result secured Brazil a USD 5.56 billion trade surplus with China in the fourth month of the year.

From January to April, Brazilian exports to the Chinese market grew by 25.4 percent, totaling USD 35.61 billion. Imports saw a slight decline of 0.4 percent, totaling USD 23.96 billion.

As a result, Brazil’s trade surplus with China for the period reached USD 11.65 billion.