United States and Brazil Reaffirm Strong Ties and Shared Democratic Values

"Together, we are seizing the opportunity to cement a future of security, prosperity, and democracy for our people and for the entire hemisphere."

- U.S. Secretary of State Michael R. Pompeo, September 13, 2019

On September 18, Secretary Pompeo will travel to Boa Vista, Brazil to reaffirm our critical partnership on shared regional challenges. As the two largest democracies and economies in the hemisphere, we are working together to support the Venezuelan people, combat COVID-19, and increase regional prosperity.

THE UNITED STATES AND BRAZIL: A VIBRANT, GROWING PARTNERSHIP

• The U.S.-Brazil partnership is anchored by our commitment to promoting security, democracy, economic prosperity, human rights, and the rule of law. We are working together to address the most urgent global and regional challenges of the century, including the ongoing crisis in Venezuela.

• Brazil is a key partner in supporting Venezuelans who have fled Maduro's manmade crisis. Brazil's work with the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees - a partner of the U.S. Department of State - to open new field hospitals in Boa Vista and Manaus is providing critical support to Brazilians and Venezuelans suffering from COVID-19.

• The United States is contributing support to more than 20,000 vulnerable Venezuelans living in Brazil with food assistance, shelter, safe water, and access to livelihood opportunities. Since Fiscal Year 2017, the United States has provided more than $50 million towards Brazil's efforts to provide services for vulnerable Venezuelan migrants and refugees.

• We look to expand our work with Brazil on preventing the illegal mining and gold smuggling that causes great environmental damage, enriches transnational criminal organizations, and increases insecurity across the region, especially in Venezuela.

GOVERNMENTS AND PRIVATE SECTOR COMMITTED TO COMBAT COVID-19

• The United States and Brazil are closely coordinating to combat the global pandemic, building upon decades of scientific and health cooperation. The U.S. government has committed $13.8 million to Brazil in response to the pandemic, including support for indigenous and marginalized communities, and U.S. companies in Brazil have pledged approximately $55 million. These pledges build upon decades of U.S. government investment in Brazil, totaling more than $617 million over the past 20 years, including more than $103 million for health.

• Recent U.S. government donations have delivered on President Trump's commitment to assist with Brazil's response to the pandemic. USAID recently completed the donation of 1,000 ventilators promised to Brazil, which so far have been deployed by the Brazilian Ministry of Health to Minas Gerais, Mato Grosso, and São Paulo states. Our cooperation is saving lives.

EXPANDING ECONOMIC COOPERATION WITH FREE MARKET PRINCIPLES

• The U.S.-Brazil bilateral trade relationship is valued at more than $100 billion, and the United States is Brazil's largest trading partner in value-added goods. Fifty-five percent of Brazil's exports to the United States are in value-added goods and services, which creates quality jobs in Brazil. We continue expanding our economic partnership with Brazil through concrete actions that uphold the principles of fair trade, free markets, and healthy competition.

• The U.S.-Brazil Energy Forum, established in 2019 by Secretary of Energy Perry and Minister of Mines and Energy Albuquerque, strengthens our commercial and technological partnership on energy. S. companies are investing heavily in the sector, helping Brazil become one of the world's biggest oil exporters.

• The United States and Brazil signed an America Crece (Growth in the Americas) Memorandum of Understanding in March 2020 to increase competitive and transparent private sector investment in infrastructure.

• The United States will partner with Brazil to support energy resource mineral development and governance in order to meet our shared energy future and diversify supply chains for critical minerals.

• The United States supports sustainable investment in the Amazon that protects biodiversity while promoting economic growth. USAID is harnessing private sector resources and innovation to develop partnerships with government, private sector, and civil society. For example, the Althelia Biodiversity Fund seeks to raise $100 million in mostly private investment for growth in the Amazon that conserves the rich biodiversity.
• The U.S.-Brazil CEO Forum set for September 28 will bring together top U.S. and Brazilian CEOs to develop joint recommendations for both governments on how to deepen bilateral trade and investment.