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Venezuela Surprises Export Sector by Starting to Charge Taxes on Brazilian Products, Contradicting Trade Agreement in Place Since 2014. Change Directly Impacts Roraima and Causes Uncertainties in Bilateral Trade.
Venezuela has started charging taxes on imported Brazilian products, contrary to Economic Complementation Agreement No. 69, signed between the two countries in 2014, which established tariff exemption for these commercial transactions.
According to information from the Poder 360 portal, the change in trade policy surprised the Brazilian export sector and has not yet been officially communicated by the Venezuelan government to Brazil.
So far, Brazilian authorities are still awaiting formal clarification on Venezuela’s decision, which directly impacts the trade relationship between the neighboring countries.
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The Ministries of Foreign Affairs and Development, Industry, Trade, and Services are closely monitoring the difficulties reported by national exporters.
According to a note issued by the Federation of Industries of the State of Roraima (FIER), the institution’s International Business Center has already begun investigations to identify specific obstacles involving the acceptance of Certificates of Origin of Brazilian goods by Venezuelan authorities.
The Brazilian embassy in Caracas is also involved in the investigations to obtain details about the reasons that led to the start of taxation.
The Economic Complementation Agreement No. 69, established under the Latin American Integration Association (ALADI), expressly prohibits the imposition of import taxes between Brazil and Venezuela on a defined set of products.
The non-compliance with this agreement had not been reported in previous negotiations.
Direct Impact on Brazilian Exporters
Earlier this month, Brazilian exporting companies began reporting difficulties in recognizing the certificates of origin, an essential document to ensure the tax exemption provided by the agreement.
Without this recognition, products shipped from Brazil to Venezuela are now being taxed normally, increasing costs and generating insecurity for business owners and producers, especially in the North region of Brazil.
Roraima, which shares a land border with Venezuela, is the Brazilian state most affected by the changes.
The economy of Roraima significantly depends on exports to the neighboring country, considered the main trading partner of the federal unit.
Brazil-Venezuela Trade Data
In 2024, according to data from the Ministry of Development, Industry, Trade, and Services, bilateral trade between Brazil and Venezuela generated around US$ 1.6 billion.
Of this total, Brazilian exports accounted for US$ 1.2 billion, equivalent to 0.4% of all the volume exported by Brazil during the period.
Among the main items sent from Brazil to the Venezuelan market are sugars and various food products, such as rice, beans, vegetable oils, and primarily, corn.
These products play a fundamental role in Venezuela’s food security, which has faced logistical challenges and supply difficulties in the food sector for years.
The restriction of trade with Brazil may exacerbate the instability scenario in the neighboring country while creating uncertainties for rural producers and industries located in Northern Brazil.
International Context and Justifications
The decision to tax Brazilian products occurs in an international context marked by trade disputes and tensions in bilateral agreements.
Recently, similar measures gained prominence in the United States, where President Donald Trump announced the intention to impose tariffs on several foreign products.
In the Venezuelan case, however, the motivations and justifications have not yet been officially clarified by local authorities, who remain silent on the issue.
The Federation of Industries of the State of Roraima is maintaining dialogue with Brazilian government agencies to seek a solution.
The aim is to restore compliance with the existing agreement and ensure that exporters are not harmed by unilateral measures.
Organizations such as the National Confederation of Industry (CNI) and the Brazil-Venezuela Chamber of Commerce are also monitoring the situation and providing support to affected companies.
Consequences for the Local Economy
In the commercial scenario, the imposition of tariffs may bring negative impacts both for Brazilian exporters and for Venezuelan consumers, who already face high inflation rates and restrictions on access to basic products.
According to experts, the tax requirement increases food prices and compromises the supply dynamics, worsening Venezuela’s socioeconomic situation and directly affecting low-income families.
On the other hand, Brazilian producers are seeking alternatives to bypass the imposed barriers, including diversifying markets and strengthening trade relations with other South American countries.
Could Venezuela’s stance toward Brazil encourage other South American countries to adopt similar measures? What paths do you believe are most effective in protecting the interests of domestic exporters in light of this new challenge in international trade?
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