China has Superseded USA as Brazil’s Trading Partner by Anyele
President Obama is connecting his trip to Latin America more with business and generation of jobs than with anything else. America wants to sell her goods and services to the growing middle class of Brazil.
His first port of call was Brazil – the seventh largest economy in the world, vibrant and growing. President Rousseff, the new president of Brazil gave Obama a warm welcome. Referring to visits by other American presidents she said to Obama, “You are the one that sees our country in the most vibrant moment”.
However Rousseff did not cover up her frustration with the trouble Brazil has had to face to become permanent member of UN Security Council. She wanted the help of Obama to overcome the hurdles by making the necessary urgent changes. She also had harsh words for the tariffs USA had placed on goods of Brazil like ethanol and cotton. She wanted to see solid action to better the economic bonds. She did not want the empty rhetoric of the past to continue.
The two presidents in a joint statement said that there should be reforms in the Security Council and sounded their views regarding “modest expansion” that would lead to more representation. But in the testimonial Obama “expressed appreciation for Brazil’s appreciation to become a permanent member of the Security Council” only. It was however not the same as the manner in which Obama endorsed the quest of India for a similar seat in the Security Council.
After Brazil Obama would be visiting Chile and El Salvador. Obama would be getting a first hand knowledge of what his officials have said about Rousseff; she takes a practical stand as regards governance and foreign affairs – something different from the flamboyant previous rule of Lula da Silva.
Rouseff had already indicated even prior to the meeting that the reporters were not to ask either her or Obama any questions but they would have to be satisfied with statements. Unlike her predecessor who gave a press conference nearly each day, Rousseff hardly granted interviews..
The trip coincides with a time when China has superseded USA as the prime trading partner of Brazil since the discovery of huge oil reserves (30 billion to 80 billion barrels) off the coast of Brazil. It has made Brazil rank among the first ten in the world as regards oil reserves. Brazil is self-sufficient in her energy needs and therefore the oil would be ready for exports. Brazil is a major exporter of agricultural products at par with USA.
About the Author
Anyele, has been working on www.bankownedproperties.org with real estate owned properties, studying the foreclosures market and helping buyers in their purchases.
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