Why Brazil shouldn’t pick fights with France

“Merchants don’t pick sides” is a common adage among Brazilian business owners, and a resourceful business strategy in a country that tends to be passionate about everything, from football to politics. Of course, international relations do not reflect the same logic as private companies, but when a country is trying to recover from its worst recession ever, it may be wise for them to choose their battles.

The recent quarrel between President Jair Bolsonaro and his French counterpart, Emmanuel Macron, puts the countries’ relationship at its lowest point in 50 years. What started as international concern towards the Amazon forest fires became an exchange of accusations and insults, with arguments varying from challenges to Brazilian sovereignty to quips about the physical appearance of the French first lady, Brigitte Macron. 

As President Bolsonaro and his supporters stated, France’s reaction could have economic motives—namely, protectionism against Brazil’s agricultural products in the light of the Mercosur-EU...