The Minister of Foreign Affairs of Brazil, Mauro Vieira, had a meeting lasting around one hour and ten minutes this Thursday (16) at the White House, in Washington (USA). He was received by United States Secretary of State Marco Rubio. The topic was the surcharge imposed by the USA on Brazilian imports.
At a press conference in the American capital, Vieira did not give many details. He called the meeting “very constructive” and focused on the “practical aspects” of the US taxation problem. He also stated that presidents Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva and Donald Trump should meet soon, without mentioning the date and location.
Later, Itamaraty released a joint note with the USA in which it reinforces its intention to promote a meeting between the two presidents “at the first possible opportunity”.
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The meeting between Vieira and Rubio was considered decisive in untangling a trade agenda between the two countries, which has been paralyzed since August, when Trump instituted additional sanctions that amounted to 50% in tariffs for several agricultural and industrial sectors.
On the agenda, in addition to tariffs, there were also American government sanctions imposed on Brazilian authorities. No one knows for sure how the other political issues were dealt with, listed in Washington’s first letter to Planalto, which linked the reduction in tariffs to conditions regarding the trial of former president Jair Bolsonaro (PL). However, with the end of the trial by the Federal Supreme Court (STF) and the Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva (PT) government’s emphasis on national sovereignty, the expectation is that the pragmatic view will begin to override the political one.
Check out the full note from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs:
“Today, Secretary of State Marco Rubio and United States Trade Representative Jamieson Greer met with Brazilian Foreign Minister Mauro Vieira and held very positive conversations about trade and ongoing bilateral issues. Secretary Rubio, Ambassador Greer and Minister Mauro Vieira agreed to collaborate and conduct discussions on several fronts in the immediate future, in addition to establishing a roadmap for joint work. Both parties also agreed to work together to hold a meeting between President Trump and President Lula at the earliest possible opportunity..”
