A pragmatic approach for Brazilian foreign affairs

Since taking office, Brazilian Vice President Hamilton Mourão has looked for ways to present himself as a moderate and pragmatic alternative to some of the more radical members of the Jair Bolsonaro administration. Now, it seems that this posture may have opened up a dialogue channel with Brazil’s most important trading partner, which could bear fruits for Brazilian business.

In an attempt to change the aggressive tone towards China that dominated Jair Bolsonaro’s campaign discourse, Mr. Mourão had a busy week in Shanghai and Beijing, trying to represent the interests of many diverse sectors. In his appointments, he found room to address scientific cooperation, financial markets, agriculture, infrastructure, telecommunications, investments, and of course, politics.

In an op-ed in weekly magazine Época, Maurício Santoro, an International Relations professor at the State University of Rio de Janeiro, said Mr. Mourão’s visit was “a win for the government wing that wants pragmatic relations with China.” In his view, the VP has earned praise abroad, “in contrast to the issues Mr. Bolsonaro has been facing.” Earlier this month, New York City businessmen pulled out of a gala honoring the Brazilian president, scheduled to take place in the American Museum of Natural History.

As a result, Mr. Mourão is coming back home with a more prominent role.

A sign of this prestige was his meeting with Chinese leader Xi Jinping—who only ever sits down with the VPs of very strategic partners. However, press and pundits elected the new kickstart of...