Foreign relations of Brazil

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Brazil

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Lula da Silva and George W. Bush
Lula da Silva and George W. Bush

Brazil is a significant political and economic power in Latin America, but deep-seated social and economic problems have kept it from realizing its goal of becoming a truly global leader.

Between World War II and 1990, both democratic and military governments sought to expand Brazil's influence in the world by pursuing a state-led industrial policy and an independent foreign policy. Brazilian foreign policy has recently aimed to strengthen ties with other South American countries, engage in multilateral diplomacy through the United Nations and the Organization of American States, and act at times as a countervailing force to U.S. political and economic influence in Latin America.

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[edit] Foreign policy

Brazil's foreign policy is a byproduct of the country's unique position as a regional power in Latin America, a leader among developing countries, and an emerging world power.[1] Brazilian foreign policy has generally been based on the principles of multilateralism, peaceful dispute settlement, and non-intervention in the affairs of other countries.[2] Brazil engages in multilateral diplomacy through the Organization of American States and the United Nations, and has increased ties with developing countries in Africa and Asia. Brazil is currently commanding a multinational U.N. stabilization force in Haiti, the MINUSTAH. Instead of pursuing unilateral prerogatives, Brazilian foreign policy has tended to emphasize regional integration, first through the Southern Cone Common Market (Mercosul) and now the Union of South American Nations.

Brazil's political, business, and military ventures are complemented by the country's trade policy. In Brazil, the Ministry of Foreign Relations continues to dominate trade policy, causing the country's commercial interests to be (at times) subsumed by a larger foreign policy goal, namely, enhancing Brazil's influence in Latin America and the world. [3] For example, while concluding meaningful trade agreements with developed countries (such as the United States and the European Union) would probably be beneficial to Brazil's long-term economic self-interest, the Brazilian government has instead prioritized its leadership role within Mercosur and expanded trade ties with countries in Africa, Asia and the Middle East.

[edit] Diplomatic relations

Brazil has a large global network of diplomatic missions, and maintains diplomatic relations with every country in the world, with the exception of:

[edit] Relations with the United States

Main article: Brazilian-American relations

Relations between the United States and Brazil are characterized as fairly warm and friendly. The United States has increasingly regarded Brazil as a significant power, especially in its role as a stabilizing force and a skillful interlocutor in Latin America. U.S. officials tend to describe Brazil, like Chile, as a friendly country that shares the U.S. commitment to democratic practices and prudent macroeconomic policies.

Although they share common goals for regional stability, Brazil's independent approach to foreign policy has led to periodic disputes with the United States on trade and political issues, including Brazil's vocal opposition to the war in Iraq. Despite these disagreements, Brazil and the United States have worked closely on a wide range of bilateral and regional issues. In addition to trade matters, these issues include counter-narcotics and terrorism, energy security, human rights protection, environmental issues and HIV/AIDS. Brazilian and U.S. officials recently signed an agreement on ethanol and technology development.

[edit] United Nations politics

Main article: Brazil and the United Nations

Brazil is a charter member of the United Nations and participates in many of its specialized agencies. It has contributed troops to UN peacekeeping efforts in the Middle East, the former Belgian Congo, Cyprus, Mozambique, Angola, and more recently East Timor and Haiti. Brazil has been a member of the UN Security Council nine times, most recently 2004-2005.

Brazil is currently seeking a permanent seat on the United Nations Security Council. It is a member of the G4, an organization of Brazil, Germany, Japan, and India, all nations who are currently seeking permanent representation. According to their plan the UN Security Council would be expanded beyond the current fifteen members to include twenty-five members. This would be the first time that permanent status has been extended to a South American nation and supporters of the G4 plan suggest that this will lead to greater representation of developing nations rather than the current major participants.

[edit] International issues

[edit] Foreign aid

Brazil provides foreign aid to various countries in Africa and Latin America through the Brazilian Agency of Cooperation (Abbreviation: ABC; Portuguese: Agência Brasileira de Cooperação). In addition to offering scientific, economical, and technical support to programs in various countries.

[edit] Participation in international organizations

ACTO • AfDB • BIS • CAN(Associate) • CPLP • FAO • G4 • G8+5 • G15 • G20 • G22 • G24 • G77 • IADB • IDB • IAEA • IBRD • IBSA •ICAO • ICC • ICRM • IDA • IFAD • IFC • IFRCS • IHO • ILO • IMF • IMO • Inmarsat • Intelsat • Interpol • IOC • IOM • ISO • ITU • LAES • LAIA • Latin Union • Mercosur • MINUSTAH • NAM(Observer) • NSG • OAS • OEI • OPANAL • OPCW • PCA • Rio Group • Rio Treaty • UN • UNCTAD • UNESCO • UNHCR • UNIDO • UNITAR • UNMIL • UNMIS • UNMOVIC • UNOCI • UNTAET • UNWTO • UPU • WCO • WHO • WIPO • WMO • WTO • ZPCAS

[edit] See also

Relations with specific foreign nations:

[edit] References

  1. ^ U.S. Congressional Report on Brazil
  2. ^ Georges D. Landau, "The Decision-making Process in Foreign Policy: The Case of Brazil," Center for Strategic and International Studies: Washington DC: March 2003
  3. ^ CRS Report RL33258, Brazilian Trade Policy and the United States, by J.F. Hornbeck
  4. ^ "Brazil announces it will not immediately recognize Kosovo's independence", O Estado de São Paulo, 2008-02-17. Retrieved on 2008-02-17. 
  5. ^ Borders and Limits of Brazil: Ilha Brasileira
  6. ^ .Brazilian Antarctica
  7. ^ UN Continental Shelf and UNCLOS Article 76: Brazilian Submission

[edit] External links

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