Brazil Considers Retaliation After EU Suspends Beef Imports

Brazil said Thursday it is considering reciprocal measures after the European Union's deadline expired to suspend imports of Brazilian goods over concerns about antibiotic and antimicrobial use in livestock. The Agriculture Ministry stated it would study countermeasures if no satisfactory solution is reached. The ministry expressed surprise at the lack of dialogue before the EU's action, calling the suspension disproportionate to the strategic partnership. The EU announced the suspension Tuesday, effective two days later. Brazil, the world's largest beef exporter, shipped about 108,000 tons of beef worth nearly $1 billion to the EU in 2025. The EU said in May it would remove Brazil from the list of authorized countries for certain animal product exports, citing insufficient guarantees that livestock production meets EU standards against antibiotic growth promoters. Brazil reserved the right to use reciprocal measures under national law, Mercosur agreements, and multilateral trade systems.