Last week, U.S. Sen. Marco Rubio, R-Fla., who sits on the U.S. Senate Foreign Relations Committee, called on President Donald Trump to support Brazil’s accession to the Organization of Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) and Brazil’s inclusion in NATO partnership programs.
In the letter, Rubio wrote, “the U.S. and Brazil have too much in common as nations to succumb to political and trade disagreements that will only benefit authoritarian adversaries like China and Russia.”
“Brazil is an important ally, as well as a trade and security partner, and has much to offer the U.S. in the areas of naval, counternarcotics, and counterterrorism cooperation,” Rubio continued. “To advance these objectives, the U.S. should recognize Brazil as a vital strategic partner in the Western Hemisphere and force multiplier for trade and mutual security. Now is the time to strengthen our bilateral security, military, and economic relationship. To that end, I respectfully urge your administration to reiterate its support and advocate for Brazil’s accession to the OECD and Brazil’s inclusion in NATO partnership programs.”
Rubio is the chairman of the U.S. Senate Western Hemisphere, Transnational Crime, Civilian Security, Democracy, Human Rights, and Global Women’s Issues Subcommittee.
The full text of the letter is below.
Dear Mr. President:
As the United States seeks to rebalance our trade and security priorities around the world, it is essential that we leverage the strong partnerships we have with nations in the Western Hemisphere to advance our shared objectives. This is especially true of Brazil. We currently have a unique opportunity to work with a friendly government to pursue shared economic prosperity and counter China’s growing influence in the region. Therefore, I urge you to increase U.S. engagement with Brazil, including by supporting and advocating for Brazil’s accession to the Organization of Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) and Brazil’s inclusion in NATO partnership programs.
As you know, Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro and his administration are eager to work closer with the U.S. China is seeking to create a strategic partnership with Brazil by leveraging Brazil’s reliance on China for export of agricultural commodities at the expense of an improved relationship with the U.S. This is not in our national interest. The U.S. and Brazil have too much in common as nations to succumb to political and trade disagreements that will only benefit authoritarian adversaries like China and Russia. The Chinese government’s use of telecommunications sales and other economic incentives further expands its influence in the region and subverts U.S. interests. The U.S. cannot allow unfettered expansion of Chinese telecommunication equipment in our hemisphere, or provide an opening for China or Russia to enhance their security relationship with Brazil.
Brazil is an important ally, as well as a trade and security partner, and has much to offer the U.S. in the areas of naval, counternarcotics, and counterterrorism cooperation. To advance these objectives, the U.S. should recognize Brazil as a vital strategic partner in the Western Hemisphere and force multiplier for trade and mutual security. Now is the time to strengthen our bilateral security, military, and economic relationship. To that end, I respectfully urge your administration to reiterate its support and advocate for Brazil’s accession to the OECD and Brazil’s inclusion in NATO partnership programs.
Thank you for your consideration of this important matter. I look forward to working with you to cement a strong and lasting relationship with Brazil.
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