Good morning! A look at Brazil-France relations, amid the feud between Jair Bolsonaro and Emmanuel Macron. Brazil could finally accept international money to fund anti-deforestation projects. A landmark trial that could affect Operation Car Wash. The changes to the pension reform bill in the Senate. The government’s strategy to tame the devaluation of the Brazilian currency
Social media bravado creates rift between Brazil and France
The escalating war of words between Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro and his French counterpart, Emmanuel Macron, has pushed Brazil-France relations to their worst state in at least 50 years. The dispute began around Amazon fires and evolved into a personal feud. Its latest development was a social media comment mocking the appearance of French First Lady Brigitte Macron—seen by the international community as a particularly low blow.
Why it matters. While France accounts for only 2% of Brazil’s imports, the French presence in the country is quite important—companies from France are the biggest foreign employers in Brazil, with over 500,000 direct jobs in groups such as L’Oréal, Casino, and Carrefour.
Moreover, Brazil is the fifth-biggest destination for investments from the French Development Agency, which amount to almost EUR 2bn. Not to mention the project to...