Brazilian companies reacted with a mix of relief and doubt after the White House surprised them on Wednesday with a list of nearly 700 exceptions to the 50% tariff U.S. President Donald Trump imposed on the country's exports from August 6.

Brazil President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva’s defiant response to Donald Trump’s 50% tariff threat was validated Wednesday — at least in the short term — with markets and businesses breathing a collective sigh of relief at the long list of exemptions to the levies.

With Donald Trump's punitive tariffs against Brazil poised to take effect within days, Latin America's largest economy is bracing for a virtual embargo on its planes, grains, and crude oil. Lula promised to apply "reciprocity" if Trump's tariff threat materializes,