Analysis
July 13, 2026
Brazilian pig iron, tariff stacking at center of Section 301 fight
Written by Laura Miller
Testimony at last week’s Section 301 hearing had Brazilian pig iron in the spotlight. Domestic steelmakers and Brazilian suppliers warned that proposed forced labor tariffs would hit a critical US input for which there is no domestic substitute.
The Office of the US Trade Representative (USTR) has proposed additional forced labor tariffs of 10-12.5% on all goods for 60 economies, with exceptions, including items covered by Section 232 tariffs. There is currently no special carve-out for DRI, HBI, and iron pellets in the proposed forced labor tariffs, as there is in Brazil’s separate Section 301 determination.
