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Peter Hakim, president emeritus of the Inter-American Dialogue, spoke to Brazilian newspaper O Estadão. In this interview, he analyzes the idea of Brazil’s admission to the OECD and the relationship between Trump and Bolsonaro.
COMMENTS BY PETER HAKIM:
“The entry of the OECD would be good for Brazil, but the costs would be high. The most important thing for Brazil, however, and the Bolsonaro government knows this well, is for the economy to do well and to leave behind recession and stagnation. That is crucial to the success of the government.”
“A deeper relationship with the US can convince investors, entrepreneurs, and the financial sector that Brazil has a chance to get the economy to work. Entering the OECD would reinforce this confidence, with Brazil in a group of rich Western countries and seen as an interesting place for investments.”
“The US is saying that ‘if you want A, you have to give up B.’ The US is not acting like someone who wants a close partnership with Brazil, but rather like someone who wants an ally in everything it brings to the table instead of a long-term relationship built on trust.”
“You do not build a robust relationship in two years. The building of trust is not just between governments, but also between companies, bureaucracies, etc. The US and Brazil have had a friendly relationship throughout history but have never had a strong partnership. They have never fully trusted one another.”
“The problem is that Bolsonaro and Trump may have an affinity for one another, but a prosperous relationship needs more than one president who likes another. You need institutions and trust, and that takes time.”
