Meeting with Biden has “symbolic effect” and interests Bolsonaro more, says professor

The bilateral meeting between President Jair Bolsonaro and US President Joe Biden is expected to have a “symbolic effect” and “signals Brazil’s interest in having a state relationship, not between governments and people.” This is the assessment of the coordinator of the International Relations course at Faap, Fernanda Magnotta.

The meeting should take place at the Summit of the Americas, in Los Angeles, which begins this Monday (6).

In an interview with CNN Radio she stated that the president should “try to capitalize politically even to reject the idea that Brazil is an international pariah.”

“Even because of that, the meeting is more important for Bolsonaro than for Biden. The United States does not have a priority agenda here,” he added.

Magnotta explained that there are guidelines for convergence between Brazil and the US, such as trade and investment, as well as interests that “push towards a more pragmatic agenda”, in addition to a similar critical view of China, which creates a bridge.

At the same time, there are differences, such as the discussion on democracy and elections, the issue of the environment and the relationship with Russia.

For the professor, “the balance of the meeting must be positive, with a diplomatic tone, guided by pragmatism, but without expressive results, since Brazil is in an election year and the USA must wait for the result for any more forceful position.”

Fernanda Magnotta also believes that the Summit of the Americas should end with a broad communiqué, with topics such as strengthening democracy, investments in infrastructure, energy and health, and a commitment to Human Rights.

But all this, “without specific definitions, commitments or long-term responsibilities”.