Bolsonaro tries to burnish diplomatic credentials with Biden meeting

Author: Editors Desk Source: Financial Times

June 8, 2022 at 21:09

Jair Bolsonaro is facing a tough re-election battle for Brazil’s presidency this autumn © Adriano Machado/Reuters

Brazilian and US leaders set for their first bilateral since taking office at Summit of the Americas

Even before he became US president, Joe Biden clashed with Brazil’s Jair Bolsonaro — but the leaders of the western hemisphere’s two most populous nations will try to set aside their differences in a first bilateral meeting this week that offers gains for both.

Ties have been strained since 2020 when Biden, still a candidate for the White House, threatened economic consequences against Brazil over the deforestation of the Amazon rainforest. Bolsonaro shot back that his country would respond with “gunpowder”. Then, as an ally and political soulmate of Donald Trump, he stalled more than one month before recognising Biden’s election victory.

Despite the uneasy relationship their planned meeting during the Summit of the Americas in Los Angeles — which several Latin American leaders are boycotting — will be a chance for each to boost their standing, analysts said.

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