5 min read
0 comments
In a strategic agenda in Japan and Vietnam, the president seeks to strengthen Brazil's presence in the Asian market, focusing on exports, technology and commercial diplomacy
President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva began a new international mission last Saturday (22) with two main destinations: Japan and Vietnam. The main focus of the trip is to expand Brazil's presence in the Asian market, especially in the meat sector, to secure formal access to Brazilian beef in Japan and to strengthen trade agreements between Mercosur and Eastern nations. The visit is strategic and takes place amid the Brazilian government's attempt to diversify its export markets and establish new diplomatic and trade ties.
Another highlight of the presidential agenda is the promotion of high-value-added Brazilian products, such as Embraer aircraft, in addition to the discussion about the possibility of implementing a semiconductor factory in the country, an ambition that, according to the Planalto itself, dates back to the time when Brazil adopted the Japanese digital TV standard. As highlighted by CartaCapital, Lula's presence in Asia is a clear sign that the Brazilian government wants to occupy a new position Protagonism in international trade, also focusing on technological innovation.
Delegation reinforces the plurality and political power of the Brazilian mission
The delegation accompanying President Lula on this mission is large and made up of representatives from different spheres of government and strategic sectors. Ministers such as Carlos Fávaro (Agriculture), Marina Silva (Environment), Luciana Santos (Science and Technology), Renan Filho (Transportation), Juscelino Filho (Communications), Silvio Costa Filho (Ports and Airports), Camilo Santana (Education), Luiz Marinho (Labor), Alexandre Silveira (Mines and Energy) and Waldez Góes (Regional Development) are present. The delegation also includes the presidents of the Chamber of Deputies, Hugo Motta, and of the Federal Senate, Davi Alcolumbre, as well as members of parliament such as Dr. Luizinho and Isnaldo Bulhões. According to CNN Brasil, the diversity and representation of this delegation reflect the government's commitment to engaging different areas of public administration to promote Brazil abroad in an integrated and strategic manner.
- Is your driver's license at risk? PRF issues warning about false suspension scam
- New Chinese company arrives in Brazil and will generate 500 jobs: Realme opens the first factory in Latin America with the capacity to produce up to 20.000 cell phones per day
- These cities are donating land to anyone who wants to live and build; see the rules and who can participate
- China innovates and connects the world's largest onshore wind turbine! The structure is so large that it is changing the climate
Travel logistics: Lula's choice of KC-30 increases the delegation's reach and comfort
The trip also drew attention for its unique logistics. Unlike what usually happens on presidential missions, Lula began the journey in an Airbus A319, known as VC-1 or “Aerolula”, and will switch to the largest aircraft in the Brazilian Air Force (FAB) fleet, the KC-30, during a stopover in Houston, in the United States. This change is strategic: the KC-30, an adapted Airbus A330-200, has capacity for more than 230 passengers and a flight autonomy of more than 12 hours, making it ideal for intercontinental flights, as highlighted in a report by the Terra portal. The aircraft was acquired in 2022, but only recently began to be used for presidential trips. The government justified the choice as a way to make the entourage more comfortable and guarantee greater efficiency in air operations, without depending on multiple technical stopovers that could delay the schedule in Japan and Vietnam.
Lula bets on beef, Embraer and semiconductors as pillars of trade strategy with Japan
The president's agenda includes three central pillars that guide his actions in Japan: opening the Japanese market to Brazilian beef, promoting Embraer aircraft to local airlines, and discussing the creation of a semiconductor factory in Brazil. Japan imports approximately US$4 billion in beef per year, with most of this demand met by the United States and Australia. Brazil, the world's largest exporter of the product, has been seeking Japanese health recognition for more than two decades to authorize its exports to the Asian country. According to the newspaper Globo Rural, Brazilian businesspeople are following the mission with optimism and have even suggested holding an institutional barbecue during the Brazil-Japan business forum as a symbolic strategy to seal the beginning of this new commercial phase.
In addition to the meat sector, Embraer is also a key player in the mission, focusing on the internationalization of its commercial and military models. The Brazilian government is banking on the excellence of the country's aviation industry as a calling card to open commercial and technological doors. In the field of innovation, Lula is expected to resume talks about the implementation of a semiconductor plant in Brazil, a project that has been discussed since 2006 and that gained momentum with the recent global crisis in the chip supply chain. According to information from Agência Gov, the expectation is that Japan, with its recognized technological leadership, could be a strategic partner in this endeavor.
Geopolitical challenges: US and elections may influence the future of Mercosur-Japan
Although the Brazilian mission in Asia has the potential to generate significant commercial advances, the international geopolitical scenario poses challenges. According to Gazeta do Povo, the relationship between Japan and the United States could be an obstacle to the realization of an agreement between the Asian country and Mercosur. This is because Japan has adopted a cautious stance in its trade negotiations, fearing retaliation from Washington. This sensitivity requires Brazil to adopt a careful and strategic diplomatic approach. Even so, Lula's visit is seen as a step forward important to maintain an open dialogue, demonstrate political willingness and align interests that favor Brazil in the medium and long term. The government believes that, despite obstacles, the gradual progress in the relationship with Japan can be consolidated in agreements that are relevant to the future of South American integration.
