José Ignacio Torreblanca, a senior policy fellow and head of ECFR’s Madrid office, and Pawel Zerka, also a senior policy fellow, dive into Brazil’s nuanced international role. They discuss Brazil's strategic positioning amid global tensions, especially during the recent G20 summit. The conversation highlights Brazil's ambitions for South-South cooperation and its new climate policies. They also examine the domestic impact of Donald Trump’s politics on Brazilian public opinion and the future of far-right movements in Latin America.
Brazil's hosting of the G20 summit signals its diplomatic revival and ambition to mediate between emerging economies and the West.
The country's nuanced positioning highlights its critique of the international rules-based order, balancing relations between major powers like China and Russia.
Deep dives
Brazil's Resurgence on the Global Stage
Hosting the recent G20 summit marked a significant moment for Brazil, showcasing its diplomatic revival under President Lula, especially following the diplomatic isolation during the Bolsonaro era. Brazil has reasserted itself, engaging in constructive dialogue and highlighting its role as a mediator between emerging economies and the West. The G20 meeting underscored Brazil's efforts, particularly through initiatives like the Global Alliance Against Hunger and Poverty, while proposing reforms to the international financial architecture. This enhanced visibility demonstrates Brazil's intent to lead discussions on critical global issues while fostering cooperation with countries like India and South Africa.
Complexities of Brazil's International Relations
Brazil grapples with its positioning between major powers, exhibiting a nuanced stance that defies simple categorizations as either Western or non-Western. While it aligns with Western nations on certain international law violations, Brazil refrains from endorsing sanctions, showcasing its critique of the existing international rules-based order. Amidst this, concerns about the evolving BRICS format have emerged, where Brazil seeks to maintain its agency against the backdrop of Chinese and Russian ambitions, highlighting the tension between national interests and broader geopolitical dynamics. This balancing act places Brazil in a unique position as it navigates the complexities of international alliances and power structures.
Challenges in Brazil-EU Relations
Brazilian relations with the European Union are strained, with challenges such as the EU's Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM) being perceived as unilateral actions that impede collaborative efforts on climate change. Despite Brazil's commitment to climate action and leadership in protecting the Amazon, there is skepticism towards EU measures viewed as protectionist. The stalled EU-Mercosur trade agreement exemplifies how mutual suspicions hinder attempts at deeper collaboration, despite the potential benefits of a strong partnership. These ongoing issues underscore the difficulty both regions face in reconciling their interests while promoting multilateral cooperation on pressing global challenges.
On Monday, the world’s 20 largest economies descended on Rio de Janeiro for the annual G20 summit. But Brazil’s wider role in the shifting world order is frequently misperceived in Western discourse. Many tend to categorise it either as a close partner of Russia and China, or as a staunch supporter of the international order established by the West. In fact, however, it aligns with neither.
This week, Mark Leonard welcomes José Ignacio Torreblanca, senior policy fellow and head of ECFR’s Madrid office, and Pawel Zerka, senior policy fellow, to discuss Brazil’s role in a changing world order. What are the main takeaways from this year’s G20, and how does Brazil view its role in such summits? How is Brazil positioning itself in the world? What types of relationships does Brasilia seek with global south countries, and how does Europe fit into this? And what do Brazilians think about Donald Trump?