Will visa exemptions really boost tourism in Brazil?

As President Jair Bolsonaro prepares to meet with his American counterpart Donald Trump, Brazil has decided to lift visa requirements for citizens from the U.S., Canada, Australia, and Japan. The move is unilateral—that is, it doesn’t require reciprocity from these countries, breaking with a long tradition in Brazilian diplomacy.

The measure is the latest chapter in a long-term demand by the Tourism Ministry, which argues that fewer visa requirements will translate into more tourists—thus bringing more revenue and business to Brazil. However, the Foreign Affairs Ministry has defended the principle of reciprocity throughout multiple administrations. The country has always required a visa from citizens of nations that demand Brazilians apply for visas themselves. That is, until now.

Brazil’s new foreign minister, Ernesto Araújo, says the country has changed its stance in order to strengthen economic and diplomatic ties with the U.S. “There was a shift in how we do foreign policy here. Waiving visas fits into this context, but this measure could have been put on the table as part of broader negotiations, perhaps requiring some gesture in return,” says political scientist Maurício Santoro.

“[The measure] places Brazil in a position of weakness before the U.S., as there is no sign that they are willing to do the same. I believe this was a hasty gesture.”