A unilateral measure imposed by the United States under Donald Trump's administration puts more than US$10 billion in Brazilian exports at risk. At first glance, the issue appears to be purely commercial, a balance adjustment affecting major production chains. However, a closer look reveals that the impact of such a decision is much deeper, directly affecting food security, family farming, and, alarmingly, the future of the Amazon rainforest.

The "tariff hike" imposed by the US is a direct blow to Brazil's rural economy. Small producers and family farms, who already operate on thin margins, are the first to feel the brunt of this instability. The drop in demand for products such as honey, fruit, and meat creates uncertainty and harms the entire production chain, from the farm to the consumer's table. In a country still facing food insecurity, this type of measure not only makes it harder for producers to make a living but also raises prices and reduces food availability for millions of people.

The ripple effect doesn't stop there. Economic pressure on the rural sector is a direct threat to the Amazon. When family farming is stifled and small producers lose their stability, the advance of the agricultural frontier into forest areas becomes a means of survival for many. What should be a global effort to protect the forest clashes with political decisions that, in practice, encourage environmental degradation in the name of commercial interests. The link between trade policies and deforestation is undeniable, and the American "tariff hike" demonstrates how distant action can have devastating consequences in the heart of the world's largest tropical biome.

The international context makes the situation even more critical. The United Nations (UN) has already stated, through resolutions such as A/RES/79/167, that unilateral measures like this violate the right to food and threaten global food security. The Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), especially SDG 2, reinforce the urgency of correcting distortions in global agricultural trade to ensure sustainability and equity. In a year of great anticipation for the COP, which will have the Amazon at the center of the debate, it is unacceptable for global powers to ignore the impact of their decisions on the fundamental right to food and environmental integrity.

The "tariff" case is a clear example of how a lack of cooperation and the imposition of unilateral measures by powerful countries put entire peoples and ecosystems at risk. Global governance that integrates trade justice, food sovereignty, and environmental protection is needed. Only with a genuine commitment to multilateralism and respect for the rights of all peoples can we build a truly just and sustainable future.