Two weeks prior to the U.S. election, Brazil goes all-in on Trump — against China. São Paulo’s plan to recover its economy. And the electoral politics of the coronavirus vaccine race.
Brazil, Trump White House join forces against “enormous risk” from China
Brazil and the U.S. have updated a 2011 trade agreement, with new provisions on trade facilitation, regulatory practices, and anti-corruption strategies. “Ultimately,” said Robert O’Brien, of the U.S. National Security Council, “this could lead to a free-trade agreement between both countries.”
- The new protocols were signed during a virtual summit on U.S.-Brazil cooperation, in which President Jair Bolsonaro celebrated the “record-breaking pace” at which the agreement was reached. In the same event, U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said both Brazil and the U.S. must “decrease […] dependence on critical items” coming from China. Mr. Pompeo cited the “enormous risk” from China’s significant participation in both countries’ economies.
- China’s Foreign Minister Zhao Lijian responded to Mr. Pompeo’s words, accusing U.S. politicians (who are part of or allowed with the Trump administration) of “smearing” normal economic and trade cooperation.
Trump has ulterior motives. While the trade agreements are the official reason for Mr. O’Brien’s visit to Brazil, he is...