Rather than building a robust partnership with the United States, Bolsonaro’s current trajectory may end up with Brazil facing a largely indifferent Washington. Yes, Trump did declare this week that he wants a free trade deal with Brazil, but even if Brazil can find a way around Mercosur’s rules and begin to pursue a bilateral accord, negotiations will take several years to complete. A successful outcome is not out of the question, but it will require to thoroughly overhaul its highly protected economy, which is among the most insular in the world.
On April 7, the Grupo de Análise da Conjuntura Internacional from the Instituto de Relações Internacionais (GACInt) at the University of São Paulo held a private roundtable to discuss the priorities of the Biden administration in the Americas.
Michael Shifter, Roberto Teixeira da Costa, Abrão M. Árabe Neto
A Latin America Advisor Q&A featuring experts’ views on how relations between the United States and Brazil may change after Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva takes office as Brazil’s president on Jan. 1.
