On September 17, 2025, the Inter-American Dialogue officially launched the Brazil Program, our new premier platform for independent research, dialogue, and policy engagement on Brazil’s political, economic, and social landscape, as well as its evolving relationship with the United States. At a time of profound change in both countries and across the region, the Program will play a vital role in helping to advance understanding, strengthen networks, and generate actionable ideas.
The event convened policymakers, diplomats, and experts to reflect on the current state of bilateral cooperation and explore key areas for collaboration. It highlighted the central role of trade and investment in the Brazil–U.S. partnership, showcasing concrete examples of how Brazilian companies contribute to employment and growth in the United States and how American firms rely on Brazil as a strategic partner in key supply chains.
Rebecca Bill Chavez, President & CEO of the Dialogue underscored the importance of fostering a space for thoughtful conversations on Brazil and the future of its relationship with the United States. She noted that, despite uncertainty surrounding the bilateral agenda, trade and investment continue to generate tangible benefits, creating jobs and expanding opportunities. Ambassador Anthony Harrington, co-chair of the Brazil Program, stressed that the program and its partners are especially relevant at this moment, helping to promote engagement between the two largest democracies in the hemisphere. He noted that while the environment is challenging, the private sector and nonprofit organizations can play an important role in sustaining dialogue and mitigating the impact of tariffs and turbulence.
The panel, moderated by Brazil program director, Bruna Santos, brought together leaders with deep knowledge of Brazil-U.S. relations and long experience navigating the intersection of business and politics. Speakers included Fabio Almeida, executive vice president for Paper and Packaging at Suzano—the world’s largest pulp producer and a leading paper company in the Americas; Shawn F. Sullivan, managing director and head of government affairs for Latin America and the Caribbean at Citi; and Kellie Meiman Hock, senior counselor at McLarty Associates and member of the Dialogue’s Board of Directors.
Meiman Hock reflected on the long history of the bilateral relationship and her own experience negotiating trade agreements. She observed that cooperation between Brazil and the United States has never been simple, pointing to differences in approaches to regulation and industrial policy. Still, she emphasized that engagement between companies and organizations from both countries offers important lessons. She also raised the question of how Brazil will position itself globally, noting that other countries are actively seizing opportunities that come with periods of uncertainty.
Fabio highlighted Suzano’s investments in the United States, which total $170 million since the company entered the market, with plans already underway for a new wave of investments. Suzano is now the second largest Brazilian exporter to the United States, after Embraer, and maintains an open dialogue with the U.S. government. He recalled how the company decided during the pandemic to acquire an existing plant in Arkansas as part of its expansion strategy. Today, Suzano has become one of the largest employers in that state and is deeply engaged with local stakeholders and communities on issues such as education, women’s leadership, and substance abuse.
Shawn noted Citi’s more than 100-year presence in Brazil and described the country as a vital market where American companies will continue to invest. He underlined that global uncertainty can sometimes be more damaging than poor policy choices but stressed that commercial ties between Brazil and the United States remain strong. According to him, opportunities for U.S. companies are abundant in sectors like agriculture, critical minerals, digital technologies, and finance, pointing out that 65 percent of Fortune 500 companies already operate in Brazil. Still, he argued that Brazil could do more to improve its business environment and make it easier for companies to operate.
Throughout the discussion, panelists emphasized the resilience of the private sector and its role in sustaining ties between the two countries. They pointed to exceptions to tariffs as evidence of the relationship’s importance, highlighted Brazil’s role as a bridge to the global south and agreed that pragmatism will be essential to advancing from now on. Fabio added that it is crucial for companies to adopt a long-term and strategic view, since the private sector can play an important role in strengthening government-to-government relations as well.
To conclude, Bruna presented some of the Brazil Program’s initiatives and priorities, which focus on four core areas: foreign policy and U.S.-Brazil relations, an abundant and sustainable future, emerging technologies, and democratic governance. She also highlighted the Program’s flagship initiative for the year—a dedicated venue in Belém during COP30 in November 2025.
WATCH THE EVENT HERE:
