Brazil has long relied on diplomacy, international law and multilateral institutions to protect its independence from more powerful countries. What happens when the United States, the principal architect of the so-called rules-based order, begins operating by different rules?
My guest on this week’s podcast episode is Antonio Ramalho, a professor of international relations at the University of Brasília whose public service has included positions at the Ministry of Defense. This season, I’m bringing you perspectives from key countries on how they are adapting to the changing international system.
We begin with the latest tensions between Washington and Brasília: new U.S. tariffs on Brazilian imports and accusations that the Trump administration is interfering in Brazil’s upcoming presidential election.
In late July, the government of President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva denied entry visas to two State Department political appointees, saying they intended to “cast doubt on the credibility of Brazil’s electoral system.”
Yesterday, the Trump administration said it had revoked the U.S. visa of Brazil’s ambassador to Washington, Maria Luiza Ribeiro Viotti. It accused Brasília of delaying approval for Trump’s nominee to serve as U.S. ambassador to Brazil, Daniel Perez, a Florida state lawmaker with no foreign-policy experience.
Revoking a visa doesn’t necessarily require its holder to leave the United States but Viotti couldn’t re-enter the country if she left. A host-government can expel a foreign diplomat by declaring that official persona non grata (PNG).
The Trump administration hasn’t PNGed — in diplomatic jargon — Viotti yet and said it would reinstate her visa if Brazil granted formal approval, known as agrément, to Perez.
I spoke with Ramalho shortly before the visa revocation. He explains why Trump’s tariffs and vocal support for Lula’s opponent in the October election, Flávio Bolsonaro, may actually help Lula win — and how Trump’s actions are pushing Brazilian businesses, students and tourists away from the United States.
We then turn to the larger picture. How are the Trump administration’s actions affecting Brazil more broadly, including its politics, economy and society, and how is the country responding? What might replace the rules-based order if it doesn’t survive?
As always, my guest’s opinions don’t necessarily represent my own views.
Watch or listen to the episode above, or on one of these platforms: YouTube, Spotify, Apple Podcasts.
Nicholas Kralev is the founder and CEO of the Washington International Diplomatic Academy, and a former Financial Times and Washington Times correspondent. His books include “Diplomatic Tradecraft,” “America’s Other Army” and “Diplomats in the Trenches.”
Comments
Nothing yet. Say the first thing.
Sign in to join the conversation.