Good morning! The international pressure on Brazil following the rise of Amazon fires. Brazil to leave peacekeeping task force in Lebanon. Will the AT&T merger with Time Warner pass in Brazil? (This newsletter is for platinum subscribers only. Become one now!)
Bolsonaro v. the world
Yesterday, French President Emmanuel Macron called the spike in Amazon fires an “international crisis,” asking for the subject to be at the center of discussions when the G7 meets this weekend. He was seconded by Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, and several world leaders and celebrities (who are capable of giving visibility to the matter). On Twitter, calls for boycotts to Brazilian products began gaining momentum—and worrying Brazilian agricultural producers.
Why it matters. France has already made it clear that it won’t easily support the ratification of the Mercosur-EU trade deal, and environmental issues appear to be the red line set by Mr. Macron. Even if U.S. President Donald Trump is a climate change denier and a friend of Mr. Bolsonaro’s, actions from Europe could severely harm Brazil’s agribusiness—and could cost the president an important support base.
Protests. Demonstrations against the Brazilian government have been scheduled for today in at least eight Brazilian cities and...