Trump to impose tariffs on Mexico, Brazil

July 14, 2025

On Saturday, July 12, U.S. President Donald Trump announced 30% tariffs on Mexico and the European Union–and 30% on copper. Last week he had threatened to impose tariffs on several other countries, including Brazil (see July 11 LADB). The tariffs are set to take effect on August 1, giving countries some time to potentially negotiate with the United States. “The July tariff announcements are far worse for Latin America than the ones in April,” says James Bosworth, explaining that, “The new stated reasoning for the tariffs has been quite political.”

Trump argued that Mexico was not doing enough to combat illegal migration and the flow of fentanyl into the country, and threatened to raise the tariffs even further should Mexico consider retaliating. The announcement comes despite months of negotiations between Mexican and U.S. officials, and despite a trade deal brokered by Trump with Canada and Mexico during Trump’s first administration.The White House clarified that goods under USMCA would not be affected by the new measures.

In response, Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum said, “I’ve always said that in these cases, you need a cool head to face any problem,” maintaining a positive outlook on the possibility of a deal being reached before the deadline (Reuters, Al Jazeera). Approximately 80% of Mexico’s exports go to the U.S., making the country particularly vulnerable to Trump’s tariffs.

Trump also threatened 50% tariffs on Brazilian goods if the country does not cease the “witch hunt” against former President Jair Bolsonaro, according to CNN. Bolsonaro is currently on trial over his role in allegedly attempting to overturn the results of the 2022 election. Trump also accused Brazil of “attacks” on U.S. tech companies (BBC). Brazilian President Lula da Silva vowed that his country would implement retaliatory tariffs in response. A recent CSIS Q&A outlines potential Brazilian responses to U.S. tariffs, and assesses the economic and political impacts of such a measure.

Nicaragua

• In World Politics Review, James Bosworth calls for a regional response to President Daniel Ortega’s apparent systematic targeting of critics of his regime living abroad.

Ecuador

• Private entities will now be able to take part in managing conservation zones, according to recently-passed law on protected areas, says AP News. Indigenous groups, environmental activists, and legal experts argue that the law goes against the country’s 2008 Constitution and violates at least 15 international agreements.

• José Adolfo Macías, alias “Fito,” leader of criminal organization Los Choneros who had been imprisoned in Ecuador after being recaptured in June, accepted his extradition to the United States, where he is wanted on seven charges of narcotrafficking and arms trafficking, according to El País.

Migration

• El País notes how many migrants, who once saw the United States as their geographic goal, “have now embarked on a reverse journey, returning to their countries of origin or to other cities within Mexico, which has ceased to be a transit point and has become a destination country.”

• “Mexican legislators have been working to streamline the registration processes for students from other countries to attend local schools. This initiative comes in response to the arrival of thousands of migrant children and adolescents to Mexico, as well as a new wave of minors recently deported from the United States.” (KPRC 2, via Americas Migration Brief)

Cuba

• The United States sanctioned Cuban President Miguel Díaz-Canel and other officials on Friday, accusing them of violating human rights and restricting access to visas, says AP News. “The U.S. will continue to stand for the human rights and fundamental freedoms of the people of Cuba, and make clear no illegitimate, dictatorial regimes are welcome in our hemisphere,” wrote U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio on social media.

Colombia

• Guiseppe Palermo, also known as “Peppe,” was arrested in Bogota under allegations of leading the Italian ’ndrangheta mafia in Latin America, reports AP News. In Latin America, the ’ndrangheta mafia is suspected of being heavily involved in the cocaine business, primarily in shipments and management of illegal trafficking routes.

• At least 34 threats against President Gustavo Petro have been recorded, according to Chief of Security General Humberto Guatibonza. As La Silla Vacía reports, several of the threats came from groups that rejected Petro’s “Total Peace” plan, including dissidents from the FARC, ELN, and Clan del Golfo.

Argentina

• Former President Alberto Fernández was formally accused of corruption, with prosecutors citing irregularities in public contracts, says AP News.

• According to the Buenos Aires Herald, the extradition trial for five Brazilians arrested in Argentina was suspended for the third time. The Brazilian natives are accused of storming government buildings in Brasilia in 2023 and later fleeing to Argentina following former President Jair Bolsonaro’s electoral defeat.

• President Javier Milei and Vice President Victoria Villarruel exchanged public blows this weekend, after Milei accused Villarruel of being a “traitor,” a “demagogue,” and a “brute” for overseeing a Senate session where an opposition-backed pension increase bill was passed, explains MercoPress. In response, Villarruel criticized Milei’s several international trips and his intelligence expenditures for upending the government’s commitment to fiscal balance.

• Inflation in Argentina likely rose to 1.9% in June, up from the 1.5% recorded in May, says Reuters. May’s inflation rate had been the country’s lowest monthly increase in five years.