Trump’s ‘Tariff Wars’ Invoke Fair Share Debate, Sparking Warning for Brazil

---

Last week, U.S. President Donald Trump returned to the spotlight by announcing a new round of tariffs on countries that, in his view, impose “unfair barriers” to American trade. In the report supporting this move — the 2025 National Trade Estimate Report from the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative (USTR) —, Brazil is listed among the targets. Even more striking, however, is the inclusion of Brazil’s ongoing Fair Share debate as part of the justification.

According to the Trump administration’s report, the Brazilian regulatory model — which includes discussions at Anatel (the National Telecommunications Agency) about charging digital platforms for the use of telecommunications infrastructure — poses a threat to the interests of major American tech companies. The criticism, which also encompasses issues such as data protection and satellite operation regulations, serves as a basis for justifying potential new tariffs on Brazilian exports like steel and coffee.

It is worth recalling that in the United States, this same logic of defending large domestic corporations has set a precedent that should serve as a warning. The rollback of net neutrality by U.S. courts, which curtailed the authority of the Federal Communications Commission (FCC), created space for discriminatory data traffic practices. The decision weakened the agency’s ability to classify the Internet as an essential service — undermining critical protections for users and small providers.

In Brazil, Anatel has shown signs of leaning toward similar proposals. As outlined in its 2025 Regulatory Agenda, the agency plans to propose an “assessment of the need for regulation regarding user obligations in telecommunications services” — which, in practice, includes evaluating the implications of imposing network usage fees. Such measures could violate the neutrality principle enshrined in Brazil’s Civil Rights Framework for the Internet, leading to increased costs for end users.

Although the Trump administration is attempting to justify these tariffs under the guise of “reciprocity,” the Fair Share issue reveals a much broader agenda: a geopolitical struggle for control over digital infrastructure. It is essential that Brazil does not fall into the trap of adopting flawed models that undermine Internet freedom. The debate on connectivity and digital infrastructure funding must focus on sustainable, equitable, and evidence-based solutions — not corporate interests repackaged as “fair sharing.”