Can The U.S. Block GPS In Brazil? Understand If This Is Practically Possible

Written by Romário Pereira de Carvalho

Published on 21/07/2025 at 22:28

Updated on 21/07/2025 at 22:33

Imagem representativa: Unsplash

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After 50% Tax on Products, US Government Considers Blocking GPS in Brazil, Increasing Diplomatic Crisis and Generating Technical Alert

The relationship between Brazil and the United States has entered a new phase of tension. After the 50% tax on all Brazilian products announced by President Donald Trump, another threat has emerged: the possible blocking of the GPS system in Brazilian territory. The measure has sparked debates, criticisms, and technical doubts about its feasibility.

Military System with Civil Use

The GPS, short for Global Positioning System, was created for military purposes at the end of the 20th century. Today, it is present in cell phones, cars, airplanes, logistics systems, and even in the financial sector.

The technology works through signals sent directly by satellites to devices around the world. These signals are unidirectional and freely accessible.

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Would Blocking GPS in Brazil Be Possible?

According to technology commentator Pedro Doria, the answer is clear: no. He argues that blocking GPS on a large scale would be an “unimaginable engineering feat.”

The explanation is simple. The system allows, at most, localized interference in very small areas.

“It is possible to block the GPS signal only in an area of 12 km². Brazil has 8.5 million square kilometers. So, it would be a lot of work to do this, 12 kilometers at a time and all the time,” Doria stated.

Even though it is unlikely, if there were a GPS blockage, crucial sectors would be affected. Aviation, maritime transport, logistics, telecommunications, energy supply, and even the Brazilian financial system depend on GPS.

One of the most important uses is the precise provision of time data, essential for the security of electronic transactions.

GNSS: More Than Just GPS

Popularly, any satellite-based location system is called GPS. But technically, the correct name is GNSS — Global Navigation Satellite System.

GPS is just one of the existing systems. Other examples include Glonass (Russia), Galileo (Europe), and BeiDou (China).

Modern devices, such as cell phones and embedded systems, generally access several of these systems simultaneously.

In other words, even if the US GPS were blocked, the other GNSS would still be active in Brazil. This would significantly reduce the impact of any eventual measure.

Growth of Diplomatic Crisis

The recent threats are set against the backdrop of increased tension between the two countries. The situation has worsened following economic and diplomatic measures from the United States.

In addition to the tax and the possible GPS blockage, Marco Rubio, US Secretary of State, revoked the visa of Minister Alexandre de Moraes.

He justified the decision by alleging a “witch hunt” against Bolsonaro.

The letter sent by Trump to Brazil, which determined the new tax, cites Section 301. This rule allows the US to impose sanctions against countries accused of unfair trade practices.

It has previously been used against China and now serves as a basis for justifying the measures taken against Brazil.

With information from Xataka.

Can The U.S. Block GPS In Brazil? Understand If This Is Practically Possible

After 50% Tax on Products, US Government Considers Blocking GPS in Brazil, Increasing Diplomatic Crisis and Generating Technical Alert

Military System with Civil Use

Would Blocking GPS in Brazil Be Possible?

GNSS: More Than Just GPS

Growth of Diplomatic Crisis

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Can The U.S. Block GPS In Brazil? Understand If This Is Practically Possible

After 50% Tax on Products, US Government Considers Blocking GPS in Brazil, Increasing Diplomatic Crisis and Generating Technical Alert

Military System with Civil Use

Would Blocking GPS in Brazil Be Possible?

GNSS: More Than Just GPS

Growth of Diplomatic Crisis

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While an average building in London or New York takes three years to be completed, in China a 26-story tower went up in five days with about 100 workers, and the global modular construction market already moves US$ 95 billion per year.

Australia installs giant concrete structures on the seabed 800 meters from the shore to create an ocean intake for desalination that will draw in saltwater and produce 30 million liters of drinking water per day.

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Germany installed vertical solar panels on a lake in Bavaria, and the result broke conventional logic: instead of producing energy at midday peak, the plant generates more early in the morning and in the evening, exactly when families turn on appliances and factories are in full swing.

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