AIG Global Trade podcast series – Brazil a trade powerhouse of South America

Panellists

Victor do Prado, Senior Fellow, CEBRIAntonella Mori, Head, Latin America Programme, ISPI

Moderator

Rem Korteweg, Senior Research Fellow, Clingendael Institute

The 2023 edition of the AIG Global Trade Series explores the extent and impact of regionalisation on the global trade landscape.

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?