Following the Inter-American Dialogue’s Congressional Staff Delegation to Brazil, the Brazil Program hosted a post-delegation discussion on June 8, 2026, bringing together the participating U.S. congressional staff and the Program’s stakeholders, including representatives from the public, private, and civil society sectors to reflect on the delegation’s main takeaways and the evolving landscape of Brazil-U.S. relations.
The conversation highlighted the value of sustained engagement in strengthening congressional understanding of Brazil’s political institutions, economic priorities, and strategic importance. Participants reflected on meetings held throughout Brasília and São Paulo, which brought together senior government officials, private sector leaders, civil society organizations, and policy experts to discuss issues ranging from trade and investment to democracy, public security, and critical minerals.
A recurring theme was Brazil’s growing relevance as a strategic partner for the United States at a time of geopolitical transformation. Discussions underscored opportunities for expanded bilateral cooperation in areas including critical minerals, clean energy, supply chain resilience, and agricultural innovation, while also recognizing that the bilateral relationship extends beyond federal governments to include the private sector and subnational actors, as illustrated by meetings in São Paulo with state government representatives.
Participants also reflected on Brazil’s evolving domestic landscape ahead of the 2026 elections. Conversations during the delegation emphasized the resilience of Brazil’s democratic institutions following recent political polarization, while recognizing that questions surrounding public security and the economy will continue to shape the country’s political debate.
Another key takeaway concerned the growing challenge posed by transnational organized crime and criminal governance. Participants discussed how public security has become an increasingly important issue not only for Brazil’s domestic agenda but also for regional stability and bilateral cooperation, particularly in the areas of intelligence sharing, law enforcement, and institutional capacity. The discussion also noted that, during the delegation’s visit to Brazil, the United States designated both the Primeiro Comando da Capital (PCC) and Comando Vermelho (CV) as Foreign Terrorist Organizations, reinforcing the prominence of organized crime as both a shared challenge and an area for enhanced bilateral cooperation.
More broadly, the discussion reinforced the importance of congressional diplomacy and sustained engagement between policymakers, business leaders, and civil society. By providing firsthand exposure to Brazil’s institutions and diverse perspectives, the delegation strengthened participants’ understanding of the country’s opportunities, challenges, and its central role in shaping the future of the U.S.-Brazil partnership.
This event was by invitation only.
