United States of America: Content moderation regulation in Trade Representative's investigation into Brazil's alleged unfair trade practices

Progress

Current status
under investigation
01 Jun 2026 under investigation
18 Aug 2025 processing consultation
17 Jul 2025 in consultation
15 Jul 2025 under deliberation

Scope

Implementers
United States of America
Policy Area
Content moderation
Policy Instrument
Content moderation regulation
Regulated Economic Activity
digital payment provider (incl. cryptocurrencies)
platform intermediary: user-generated content
platform intermediary: other
Government Branch
executive
Government Body
central government
other regulatory body
Implementation Level
national

Timeline of events

01 Jun 2026
under investigation

Office of the United States Trade Representative determined content removal orders against US social media platforms and preferential treatment of Pix instant payment system are actionable under Section 301 of the Trade Act of 1974 and proposed tariff action

On 1 June 2026, the Office of the United States Trade Representative (USTR) determined that certain of Brazil's acts, policies and practices related to digital trade and electronic payment services are unreasonable and burden or restrict US commerce…

Event type investigation
Action type interim ruling
Government branch executive
Government body central government
18 Aug 2025
processing consultation

Trade Representative closes consultation as part of investigation into Brazil’s alleged unfair trade practices including its content moderation policies

On 18 August 2025, the Office of the United States Trade Representative (USTR) closes the consultation as part of its Section 301 investigation into Brazil’s trade practices, with a focus on digital trade and electronic payment services. Section 301…

Event type investigation
Action type consultation closed
Government branch executive
Government body other regulatory body
17 Jul 2025
in consultation

Trade Representative opened consultation as part of investigation into Brazil’s alleged unfair trade practices including its content moderation policies

On 17 July 2025, the Office of the United States Trade Representative (USTR) opened a consultation as part of its Section 301 investigation into Brazil’s trade practices, with a focus on digital trade and electronic payment services. Section 301 of …

Event type investigation
Action type consultation opened
Government branch executive
Government body other regulatory body
15 Jul 2025
under deliberation

Trade Representative announced investigation into Brazil’s alleged unfair trade practices including its content moderation policies

On 15 July 2025, the Office of the United States Trade Representative (USTR) initiated a Section 301 investigation into Brazil’s trade practices, focusing on digital trade and electronic payment services. Section 301 investigations under the Trade A…

Event type investigation
Action type announcement
Government branch executive
Government body other regulatory body