In this week’s issue: The most important facts of the week. EU- Mercosur deal in jeopardy? Challenges with public spending.
The week in review
- Cabinet members. President-elect Jair Bolsonaro announced Santander economist Roberto Campos Neto as the future President of the Central Bank. Following the announcement, the São Paulo Stock Market Index rose by nearly 3%. Also confirmed this week were former Finance Minister Joaquim Levy for the head of the National Development Bank (BNDES), and Ernesto Araújo for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. An anti-globalist, Trumpist character, Mr. Araújo has been highly critical of China and defends a posture of total alignment with the U.S.
- U.S.-Brazil relations. Donald Trump’s National Security Adviser John Bolton could visit Brazil on Nov. 28-29, prior to the G-20 Summit in Buenos Aires. Mr. Bolton has already praised Mr. Bolsonaro, dubbing him a “like-minded” leader who the Trump administration could work with. The visit has yet to be confirmed.Â
- Doctors. The Cuban government announced it will withdraw from the More Doctors Program, which sends healthcare professionals to vulnerable areas of Brazil, after Mr. Bolsonaro imposed several conditions for the continuity of the program. Part of the 8,000+ Cuban doctors in Brazil have already returned,...