Coca-Cola, Tesla and eBay have formally requested that the US Trade Representative exempt Brazilian imports from a proposed 25% tariff, arguing that the levies would drive up costs for American consumers and businesses.
The companies submitted their objections ahead of a scheduled Section 301 hearing, joining a growing chorus of corporate pushback against the administration’s trade policy.
The intervention by these high-profile firms highlights the economic friction caused by the proposed tariffs.
The companies warned that the duties would not only increase input costs but also disrupt supply chains that rely on Brazilian components and raw materials.
For investors, the lobbying effort signals that the political cost of the tariffs may be rising as domestic industry leaders mobilize against the policy.
The proposed tariffs were announced by the USTR under the direction of President Donald Trump, citing unfair trade practices that allegedly burden American businesses.