Brazilian Oil Firms Suspend US Exports Over 50% Tariff Uncertainty

Following U.S. President Donald Trump's imposition of a 50% tariff on Brazilian oil imports, major Brazilian energy companies suspended oil exports to the U.S. to avoid shipments being caught in the new tariff regime, as reported by the Brazilian Petroleum Institute (IBP). This suspension marks a significant disruption in energy trade, given that oil is Brazil's largest export to the U.S. and accounts for a notable share of Brazil's oil market. The IBP and Brazilian oil companies, including Petrobras, Shell, and TotalEnergies, considered redirecting exports to Europe and Asia to mitigate losses. However, a subsequent White House decision exempted Brazilian crude oil from these tariffs, enabling the resumption of exports and averting a potential trade freeze that would have pushed Brazilian oil primarily towards Europe and China. The tariff threat and exemption underscore heightened tensions and strategic recalibrations in global oil trade, with both countries recognizing the mutual harm of a complete export halt. President Trump's administration also indicated plans to increase U.S. crude production by lifting restrictions on drilling in Alaska's National Petroleum Reserve, reflecting broader energy policy shifts.