Precious Brazil closely monitors U.S. tariff developments and assesses impacts for Brazil’s strategic planning.
The announcement and implementation of new import tariffs by the United States, in effect since early August 2025, have raised alarms across the global gemstone and jewelry supply chain. The measures directly affect international competitiveness and are already being regarded by associations and governments as one of the greatest recent threats to the sector.
In Brazil, one of the world’s largest producers of colored gemstones, the U.S. decision is being followed closely. The sectorial project Precious Brazil, an initiative by the Brazilian Gems and Jewellery Trade Association (IBGM) in partnership with the Brazilian Trade and Investment Promotion Agency (ApexBrasil), is carefully monitoring the situation to evaluate impacts and provide a foundation for the next strategic internationalization plan for the industry.
According to the project’s coordination, understanding the unfolding of tariff measures is essential to protect the competitiveness of Brazilian companies, since the United States is one of the top destinations for national gemstone and jewelry exports.
Effects on Brazil
The 50% tariff now applied to Brazilian gemstones represents one of the most critical scenarios in the sector’s recent history. For Marcelo Ribeiro, president of Belmont Emeralds, it amounts to “an economic sanction” that makes direct exports to the U.S. market unviable — reducing the product’s added value.
Although the emerald market is not directly affected — since 95% of Belmont’s production, for example, is sent to India — the impact on Brazilian manufacturers and designers is expected to be severe, given that the U.S. accounts for around 30% of the sector’s exports. The Brazilian government has already initiated negotiations with Washington, seeking to reverse or at least mitigate the effects.
A Global Issue
Brazil is not alone in facing this challenge. U.S. tariffs are reshaping international gemstone and jewelry trade, affecting key producing countries.
- Sri Lanka: A 20% tax threatens the competitiveness of sapphire exports, a crucial sector for the country.
- European Union: German manufacturers warn that 15% tariffs may make it impossible to participate in strategic trade shows such as Tucson.
- ASEAN (Association of Southeast Asian Nations): Tariffs ranging from 10% to 40% are eroding competitiveness in countries like Vietnam, Indonesia, Thailand, and Myanmar, forcing companies to shift toward higher value-added products.
- Thailand: A 19% tariff places at risk an export market worth more than US$250 million annually in sales to the U.S., particularly for silver jewelry and mass-market pieces.
- Hong Kong: With a 30% tariff in place, companies are adopting strategies such as relocating production lines to neighboring countries, while reinforcing design and client relationships to stay competitive.
Source: https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c5ypxnnyg7jo
The announcement of tariffs by the U.S. administration in April 2025 triggered major concerns within the global gemstone and jewelry sector. In the United States, the American Gem Trade Association (AGTA) classified the measure as the most serious threat ever faced by the colored gemstone segment, stressing that — unlike other jewelry sectors — the gemstone market is a net exporter, contributing positively to the U.S. trade balance.
International Response and Next Steps
Industry organizations like AGTA have been leading political efforts with the U.S. Congress to reverse the measures. Congressional letters have already been sent to President Donald Trump and senior members of his administration, with further rounds of meetings scheduled for September.
Strategies include requests for gemstones to regain duty-free status or be included in exceptions under the executive order that established the tariffs. Meanwhile, administrative adjustments with U.S. Customs are being pursued to temporarily ease the burden on the supply chain.
The outlook remains uncertain, but the effects of the tariffs extend far beyond the U.S., reshaping trade routes and forcing companies worldwide to rethink their strategies.
For Brazil, the priority is to closely follow this global movement, maintain constant dialogue with international partners, diversify markets, and reinforce the country’s image as a reliable and competitive supplier of responsibly sourced gemstones.
Sobre a ApexBrasil
A Agência Brasileira de Promoção de Exportações e Investimentos (ApexBrasil) atua para promover os produtos e serviços brasileiros no exterior e atrair investimentos estrangeiros para setores estratégicos da economia brasileira. Para alcançar os objetivos, a ApexBrasil realiza ações diversificadas de promoção comercial que visam promover as exportações e valorizar os produtos e serviços brasileiros no exterior, como missões prospectivas e comerciais, rodadas de negócios, apoio à participação de empresas brasileiras em grandes feiras internacionais, visitas de compradores estrangeiros e formadores de opinião para conhecer a estrutura produtiva brasileira entre outras plataformas de negócios que também têm por objetivo fortalecer a marca Brasil. A Agência também atua de forma coordenada com atores públicos e privados para atração de investimentos estrangeiros diretos (IED) para o Brasil com foco em setores estratégicos para o desenvolvimento da competitividade das empresas brasileiras e do país.
Sobre o IBGM
O Instituto Brasileiro de Gemas e Metais Preciosos é uma entidade nacional, de direito privado, sem fins lucrativos, fundada em 1977, com a missão de representar, mobilizar, integrar, desenvolver e promover todos os segmentos da Cadeia Produtiva de Gemas, Joias, Bijuterias e Relógios, harmonizando seus interesses e promovendo a transferência de conhecimento, a confiança e a apreciação de seus produtos pelos consumidores.
Sobre o Precious Brazil
O Projeto Setorial visa apoiar e promover as empresas brasileiras dos segmentos de pedras, bijuterias e joias brasileiras que queiram exportar seus produtos, sejam elas iniciantes, exportadoras e internacionalizadas. Conduzido pelo IBGM – Instituto Brasileiro de Gemas e Metais Preciosos em parceria com a ApexBrasil – Agência Brasileira de Promoção de Exportações e Investimentos – o projeto atende atualmente cerca de 160 empresas do setor.
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