LatAm Trade Watch
Import-export knowledge, tariffs & freight rates across Latin America
QUICK SUMMARY — The US has imposed heavy tariffs on Brazil (25–50%, effective 22 Jul); other countries in the region face a 15% baseline tariff. China–Brazil freight rates rose 15–16% amid peak season, while global container rates eased 2%. Vietnam is negotiating an FTA with the Mercosur bloc, opening further export opportunities into the region.
LatAm Trade Watch tracks these developments daily as an information channel of Air Sea Worldwide Vietnam — a freight forwarder specializing in ocean and air freight (FCL/LCL) from Vietnam to South America and Latin America.
Weekly summary: 10/19/2026 – 10/25/2026
The US officially imposed a 25% tax on imports from Brazil from July 22
Tax under Section 301 investigation takes effect July 22, 2026. Exemptions: coffee, beef, butter, Brazil nuts, crude oil, aircraft parts. Brazil declared retaliation under the Reciprocity Law and sued the WTO.
China → Brazil shipping rates skyrocketed 15–16% during the month
20GP containers entering Santos, Rio de Janeiro, Paranaguá increased to 7,029–8,591 USD; 40HQ to 7,263–8,877 USD.
The EU-Mercosur Agreement applies temporarily and still has legal problems
Temporarily applied from May 1, 2026, tax removal on 91% of exports from two blocks. The EU Parliament has requested the CJEU to issue a legal opinion.
Vietnam–EFTA Free Trade Agreement targeted for implementation in 2027
Switzerland is Vietnam’s largest trading partner within the EFTA. Swiss statistics showed that bilateral trade reached approximately 3.5 billion USD in 2025, up nearly 26%. According to Vietnam's Department of Customs, two-way trade totalled 806.2 million USD in the first nine months of 2026. As of September 30, Switzerland had 247 valid investment projects in Vietnam, with total registered capital of around 2.5 billion USD, ranking 20th among 154 countries and territories investing in the Southeast Asian country. Vietnam-EFTA free trade pact expected to boost trade Vietnam–EFTA trade deal opens up new chapter in cooperation: Norwegian, Swiss ambassadors Vietnam, EFTA sign free trade agreement after 14 years of negotiations
Vietnam–EFTA trade deal opens up new chapter in cooperation: Norwegian, Swiss ambassadors
Norwegian Ambassador Stein Iversen told the press that the lengthy negotiations reflect the complexity of the issues and the breadth of cooperation, as well as the parties’ commitment to their ties. EFTA deal provides fresh opportunities for seafood exports Vietnam-EFTA deal set to further boost bilateral trade growth Vietnam, EFTA sign free trade agreement after 14 years of negotiations
Brief
Vietnam, European FTA sign free trade agreement after 14 years of negotiations
10/19/2026 · asianewsnetwork
Argentina, Colombia, Peru, Chile, Ecuador... are subject to a 15% base tax when exporting to the US
20/07/2026 · Rio Times Online
CNI and AmCham urge Brazil and the US to reach an agreement before the July 15 tax deadline
07/2026 · Rio Times Online
Vietnam promotes FTA negotiations with Mercosur bloc (Brazil, Argentina, Uruguay, Paraguay)
2026 · WTO Center - VCCI
EU-Mercosur signs the world's largest trade partnership, covering 700 million people
01/2026 · Consilium
Freight & Logistics
Global container rates decreased slightly by 2%, to 4,547 USD/40ft in mid-July
16/07/2026 · Drewry WCI
South America is entering its peak import season early, and space on mainline ships is scarce
07/2026 · More Than Shipping
Sea freight market in July 2026: shortage of 40-foot containers, trans-Pacific freight increased sharply
10/07/2026 · J.M. Rodgers Co.
Reference Freight Rates
Latin America Shipping Route Map — Air Sea Worldwide Vietnam
Full screen ↗Interactive map: select a port to view free time, and filter shipping routes from Vietnam to Brazil, Argentina, Chile, Peru, Colombia and all of Latin America.
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Air Sea Worldwide (Vietnam) Co., Ltd
Ocean freight · Air freight · FCL/LCL logistics Vietnam – Latin America (Brazil, Argentina, Chile, Peru, Colombia)
Mobile: +84 968 064 737 · Email: tin.ho@asw-hochiminhcity.com.vn · View 3D shipping route map