Brazil vice-president in London to hold talks with new gov’t

At the request of President Jair Bolsonaro, vice-President Hamilton Mourão is flying on September 7 to London where he will forge new trade cooperation ties between Brazil and the UK, which is under a new government. In Mourão’s view, the departure of the UK from the European Union may bring about many great opportunities to Brazilian foreign trade.

“On September 7 I’m going to London to establish the first contacts with the new British government and start key efforts to step closer commercially,” Mourão said during a talk at the Rio de Janeiro Commercial Association.

The role of Argentina

The vice-president noted it is important to nourish good commercial ties with Argentina, regardless of who is in charge of the government. Mourão said he would like Mauricio Macro to remain in the post, even though strong signs show a more likely victory by Alberto Fernandez, backed by former President Cristina Kirchner at the October 27 elections.

Mourão mentioned Argentina is Brazil’s third biggest trade partner. “A significant part of our manufactured goods is sold to Argentina, so we have to keep this connection—not just for that, but also because of the historical links between us. Lord Palmerston [British politician who lived in the 19th century] said there are is no endless friendship or eternal enemies when it comes to [international relations]. What we have instead is our interests. So we have to pursue our interests and our interests are in Argentina too, and we have to have contact with them,” he said,