U.S. President Joe Biden will address the IX Summit of the Americas today, focusing on his economic agenda for the region. But in stark contrast with previous editions of the forum, furthering the agenda of free trade deals will not be on Mr. Biden’s agenda, according to Politico.
As international relations professor Oliver Stuenkel addressed on our Explaining Brazil podcast, the sheer unpopularity of free trade among American voters in key agricultural states is seen as having led to the election of Donald Trump in 2016 — and the broader anti-establishment sentiment in the country.
Mr. Biden is not expected to lower tariffs or promote other trade incentives, a decision which is likely to receive a mixed reception among Latin American countries. Ecuador’s Guillermo Lasso has been looking for new deals, while Chile’s new President Gabriel Boric campaigned on a platform that questions their existence entirely.
Thursday’s agenda is expected to focus on climate change and food security, with the U.S. set to pledge USD 300 million to the latter. On Friday, the focus will shift to immigration, one of the main priorities of the hemispheric giant.
President Jair Bolsonaro of Brazil is only expected to arrive in California tomorrow, the day he meets with Mr. Biden.
Search
