RIO DE JANEIRO, April 3 (Reuters) - Brazilian gunmaker

Taurus Armas expects its production line in the

United States to help it minimize the impact of tariffs imposed

on Wednesday by U.S. President Donald Trump, its chief executive

Salesio Nuhs told Reuters.

Taurus is one of the world's largest gun manufacturers and

mainly produces handguns and small arms for both private

consumers and security forces.

Currently, 85% of the 7,000 weapons manufactured daily at

its Brazilian factories are exported to the U.S. market,

according to the executive. It has daily production capacity for

another 3,000 weapons at its U.S. facilities.

"We are keeping a close eye on the consequences of the

tariffs," Nuhs said in an interview at the LAAD defense

conference in Rio de Janeiro on Wednesday, ahead of Trump's

announcement of a 10% levy on Brazilian exports to the U.S.

Taurus earlier this week also announced a memorandum of

understanding aimed at acquiring Turkey's Mertsav and eyes

completing the deal in the second half of 2025, which would

increase its product portfolio.

"We will be the only company in the world to offer a diverse

portfolio, from the .22 caliber to the .50," Nuhs said. "The

purchase of the Turkish company could speed up our decision,

which has already been made, to make the .50 (machine gun)."

Taurus is also eyeing the Saudi market, the executive added,

adding that it could soon sign a joint venture deal with a local

company. A proposal has been submitted to the Saudi government

and awaits its analysis, Nuhs said.