Brazilians Still Favor U.S. Over China for Trade — Even as Tariffs Bite

A large national survey by PoderData in July 2025 shows that most Brazilians—59%—prefer the country to trade more with the United States, despite rising U.S. tariffs on Brazilian products.

Only 32% of respondents would rather see Brazil focus on China. This public opinion stands out because, in the real world, Brazil’s economy is increasingly linked to China, not the U.S.

In 2024, Brazil’s trade with China reached $188 billion, and Brazil exported much more to China than it imported, giving it a $31 billion surplus. China now buys almost a third of everything Brazil sells abroad—mainly soybeans, iron ore, and oil.

The U.S. used to be Brazil’s closest trade and political partner. Now things are tense. In 2025, the U.S. government raised tariffs on most Brazilian goods to 50%.

Officially, these tough tariffs punish Brazil for its treatment of former president Jair Bolsonaro—a close ally of the current U.S. president—who faces legal troubles.

Despite these tensions and higher costs, many Brazilians still feel connected to the U.S. by history, culture, or political ideals. Meanwhile, China puts real money into Brazil.

Since 2023, Chinese companies have poured over $27 billion into Brazilian infrastructure, energy, and technology. Chinese brands now dominate Brazil’s fast-growing electric vehicle and solar energy markets.

Brazil’s Growing China Ties Highlight Shift in Global Power

Presidents Lula of Brazil and Xi Jinping of China have signed many new deals that promise even closer ties in the future. The biggest story is the gap between what Brazilians say they want and what’s actually happening.

While most wish for strong ties with the U.S., the reality is that Chinese trade and investment now shape Brazil’s economy. Hard numbers—not nostalgia or old friendships—drive new alliances.

For people outside Brazil, this matters because the country stands as proof that global power is shifting. The U.S. still holds cultural influence and remains in people’s minds, but China’s role in trade and development grows every year.

As Brazil’s economy moves closer to Asia, jobs, prices, and industry inside the country change, and the effects ripple far beyond its borders. Brazil faces a clear choice: stick with tradition and sentiment, or adapt to economic realities.

The answer will shape Latin America’s place in a changing world. This story matters because it captures the deeper shift beneath headlines—a nation caught between two giants, where the numbers already show one side is winning.