Brazil announced a significant drop in deforestation, directly countering the Trump administration's tariff justification. The data shows the lowest May deforestation on record.
- Amazon deforestation fell 61.4% in May 2026 compared to May 2025. - Cerrado deforestation dropped 12% over the same period.
- The Trump administration had cited illegal deforestation to justify 25% tariffs on Brazil. - President Lula called the U.S.
accusations unfounded and reaffirmed Brazil's goal of zero deforestation by 2030. The decline underscores Brazil's environmental progress amid ongoing threats from climate change and wildfires.