Even after an additional 25 % of the United States was imposed on Brazilian steel products, aluminum and cars, Brazil exports in these categories grew in the first quarter of 2025.
The data collected by the Foreign Trade Secretariat appear up to 20.5 % in the size that was exported to the American market during the same period in the previous year.
The survey was made exceptionally through the Ministry of Development, Industry, Trade and Services (MDIC) from the US list issued by the United States on March 5 (steel and aluminum) and April 2 (for the auto sector).
According to the folder, the study used symbols of the “coordinated system at 6 -DIGIT”, the same style that the United States adopted, “so that the information can be largely compared.”
Total steel and aluminum exports to the United States amounted to 494.4 million US dollars in January 2025, an increase of 19.7 % over 412.9 million US dollars exported in January 2024.
In February, the growth was 20.1 %, with the export of $ 540.7 million from $ 450.1 million in the same month in the previous year.
In March, there was a new increase of 20.5 %, with $ 492.1 million, compared to $ 408.4 million registered in the same month of 2024.
The auto sector also recorded an increase, despite the more moderate frequency. The total Brazilian exports to the United States amounted to $ 131.7 million in January 2025, by 12.1 %, at 117.5 million US dollars exported in January 2024.
In February, the contrast was 3.1 %, from $ 142.2 million in 2024 to $ 146.6 million this year.
In March, progress was 10.6 %, with $ 165.4 million from $ 149.5 million in the same period in the previous year.
Global, Brazil’s export growth for all destinations was more shy. In the steel and aluminum sector, sales grew 0.5 % in January, 7.9 % in February and 5.4 % in March.
In the auto sector, the heights were 1.4 %, 18.8 % and 10.6 %, respectively. Check the data:
Steel and aluminum – Exports from Brazil to the United States of America
- January to 2024: 412.9 million US dollars
- January to 2025: 494.4 million USD
- January variation: +19.7 %
- February to 2024: 450.1 million US dollars
- February to 2025: 540.7 million US dollars
- February variation: +20.1 %
- He walks to 2024: 408.4 million US dollars
- He walks to 2025: 492.1 million USD
- March variation: +20.5 %
Car Sector – Exports from Brazil to the United States
- January to 2024: 117.5 million US dollars
- January to 2025: 131.7 million US dollars
- January variation: +12.1 %
- February to 2024: 142.2 million US dollars
- February to 2025: 146.6 million US dollars
- February variation: +3.1 %
- He walks to 2024: 149.5 million US dollars
- He walks to 2025: 165.4 million US dollars
- March variation: +10.6 %
The total of the first three months shows that, even with the announcement of the tariff scale, Brazil has increased its size. Source:
- the total Steel and aluminum No quarter of one of 2024: 1.271 billion dollars
- the total Steel and aluminum No quarter of one of 2025: 1.527 billion US dollars
- Growth: +20.1 %
- the total Cars No quarter of one of 2024: 409.2 million US dollars
- the total Cars No quarter of one of 2025: 443.7 million US dollars
- Growth: +8.4 %
Prin out ascending
At a press conference to detail the results of the trade balance last Friday (4), MDIC and Foreign Trade Studies, Hirlloon Brandao, said that in the case of steel and aluminum, there may have been a “prior rise” that cannot be determined by a negative impact on steel exports per month even with the existing prices.
According to him, however, the movement is normal and occurs naturally. However, the data shows an increase of 23.9 % compared to the same month last year, and shipping to the United States.
He said, “Steel and aluminum data are subject to what we call early ascension, meaning that companies start the goods and then announce. Therefore, there is some time between us to register in statistics, which is what the company mentioned, and what has been installed,” adding that the impact of the new policy was not yet possible.
The coach also said that “the same sector may respond to” the effect of measures and that MDIC cannot say it is an effect.
Inaccuracy
In the introduction of the report, MDIC warned of possible inaccuracies in data due to the difference between the joint designation of MERCOSUR (NCM) and the American tariff system.
The ministry said, “The list published by the United States has a high level of complexity, and the tariff symbols used may not have an accuracy equation with the joint Mercosur name (NCM). Thus, any specific survey can have an accuracy margin.”