Foreign Relations of Brazil

The Ministry of External Relations is in charge of the administration of foreign relations in Brazil. Brazil plays a very important political and economic role in Latin America. Their foreign policy not only shows how much of a regional power they are, but also the promise they have to become a world power. The policy also helps to defend the country’s national interests, security, goals, and economic success.

Both Democratic and military governments were looking to increase Brazil’s influence after World War II.  They did this by engaging in an industrial policy and an independent foreign policy that was state-led. As of late, Brazil has tried to better their relations with other South American countries. Through the United Nations and the Organization of American States, they have also attempted multilateral diplomacy.

Foreign Relations Summary

Brazil’s foreign policy is a result of the distinct status it has as a regional power in Latin America. It is also a result of their leadership among developing countries and their being an up-and-coming world power. The country’s foreign policy has, by and large, been built upon Multilateralism and non-intervention has helped to form Brazil’s foreign policy. They aim to settle disputes as peacefully as possible. This multilateral diplomacy occurs through the Organization of American States and the United Nations. It has also strengthened bonds with third-world African and Asian countries. ‘

Brazilian foreign policy usually stresses the importance of regional cooperation. They aim for this rather than having independent power. They first showed this through the Southern Cone Common Market (Mercosul) and currently the Union of South American Nations. Additionally, Brazil is dedicated to having cooperation with other Portuguese-speaking countries. They are doing this through collaborations with the rest of the Portuguese-speaking world. These collaborations include military cooperation, financial aid, and national trade.

Foreign Trade

Brazil’s political, business, and military endeavors parallel the country’s trade policy. The Ministry of Foreign Relations within the country continues to control trade policy. Sometimes, this makes the country’s commercial interests overrun by a bigger goal. This occurs in order to extend Brazil’s influence in Latin America and the world.

Brazil entered into an agreement in 2009 with three other emerging countries. These included South Africa, India and China. The agreement occurred so that these countries could work as a bloc in negotiations at the Copenhagen climate summit (usually called the Copenhagen Summit). These four countries still work together under the name BASIC countries.