BRAZIL

With President Lula having returned to office on 1st January, expectations are raised of a new and positive Brazilian approach to trade, including a possible revival of the EU Mercosur FTA deal.

An important voice in the G20 and a key member of the BRICS emerging economies, Brazil’s trade increased significantly in 2022 - due in part to higher prices - and forms an increasingly important part of its overall GDP. However, much of this trade leverages the country’s mineral and agricultural wealth, raising environmental protection and sustainability concerns.

From U.S. and European perspectives, how will Brazil’s foreign policy be shaped by the country’s relationship with China, as its main trading partner? What does Brasilia make of growing trade tensions between the U.S. and China? How is Brazil dealing with the shift towards greater regionalisation or even trade fragmentation?

The AIG Global Trade Series 2023 is a series of podcasts analysing the complex interplay of factors shaping the global trade system. The Global Trade Series is a collaboration between AIG and the following international organisations with leading expertise on global trade: the Aspen Institute Germany; CEBRI - the Brazilian Center for International Relations; Chatham House (UK); the Clingendael Institute (The Netherlands); the Institute of International Economic Law at Georgetown University Law Center (US); ISPI - the Italian Institute for International Political Studies; the Jacques Delors Institute (France); RIETI - the Research Institute of Economy, Trade and Industry (Japan); and the St. Gallen Endowment for Prosperity through Trade (Switzerland).
https://www.aig.co.uk/landing-pages/aig-global-trade-series