Trump slaps 50% tariffs on Brazil, spares key sectors Beef and coffee hit hardest as US tariffs bypass key exportsUS President Donald Trump on Wednesday slapped a 50% tariff on most Brazilian goods to fight what he has called a "witch hunt" against former President Jair Bolsonaro, but softened the blow by excluding sectors such as aircraft, energy and orange juice from heavier levies, reported Reuters. Still, Trump's tariff order threatened that if Brazil were to retaliate, the U.S. would also up the ante. However, it was still too soon to celebrate, said former Brazilian trade secretary Welber Barral, estimating that Brazil exports some 3,000 different products to the United States. Trump's tariff exemptions did not shield two of Brazil's key exports to the US, beef and coffee. If Brazil were to retaliate against Trump's measures, that "would generate a larger negative impact" on activity and inflation, Goldman said.