Far beyond orange juice.

Brazil, a nation often underestimated on the global stage, carries a strategic weight that makes the United States look at it with heightened attention. It's not just samba, carnival, or the Amazon that shine in the world's imagination. It's what comes out of our mines, farms, industries, and laboratories that shapes Uncle Sam's economy and security. Let's take it one step at a time, because the menu is extensive and the conversation is serious.

When it comes to nickel, niobium, manganese, graphite, and rare earth elements, Brazil is not just a participant—it's a central piece on the global chessboard. These minerals, which may sound like advanced chemistry jargon, are the heart of electric car batteries, semiconductors, defense equipment, and clean energy technologies.

In a world where the competition with China for strategic resources is fierce, Brazil emerges as a reliable supplier, an ally that does not engage in geopolitical blackmail. For the US, which seeks to reduce its dependence on Beijing, our soil is a treasure. We are one of the few countries with abundant reserves and the capacity to deliver them.

Step aboard a regional flight in the U.S. and you're very likely flying on an Embraer jet. More than 500 aircraft from the Brazilian company crisscross American skies daily, connecting cities that don't appear on the maps of major urban centers. Embraer isn't just a brand; it's the queen of regional jets, and the U.S. knows it. More than just exporting aircraft, the company maintains a factory on American soil, generating jobs and strengthening industrial ties. It's Brazil flying high in Uncle Sam's land.

Brazilian agriculture feeds the USA.

If you've ever had a glass of orange juice in the U.S., there's an 80% chance it came from Brazil. Florida, once the mecca of oranges, is in decline, and Brazilian agribusiness is masterfully filling that gap. But it doesn't stop there. We are world leaders in the export of beef, chicken, and soybeans, with the U.S. as one of our earliest customers.

In 2023, Brazil exported approximately US$900 million worth of beef to the US, with JBS, the world's largest meat processor, leading the supply. 

It is estimated that 7-8% of beef consumption in the US, about 1 million tons annually, comes from Brazilian pastures. This means that many hamburgers in fast-food chains and supermarkets have their roots in Brazil. 

The Amazon, often called the "lungs of the planet," produces between 6 and 9% of global oxygen and acts as a vital carbon sink, absorbing more CO₂ than it emits when preserved. 

The biodiversity of the Amazon—with approximately 40.000 plant species and over 400 mammals—is an untapped treasure. Less than 1% of Amazonian plants have been studied for bioactive compounds, which could revolutionize the pharmaceutical industry with new medicines. But deforestation and a lack of investment in sustainable research limit this potential.

The Amazon holds the largest volume of fresh water on the planet. The Amazon River alone discharges 209.000 cubic meters of water per second into the Atlantic, representing 20% ​​of the global flow of fresh water to the oceans.

In a future where drinking water may be worth more than oil, Brazil, with its vast Amazonian hydrographic network, is positioned as a powerhouse. 

Sustainable management of these resources will be crucial, especially in times of climate change, but deforestation and pollution from illegal mining threaten this wealth.

Brazilian innovation conquers the USA.

Let's not delude ourselves into thinking we are just fields and mines. Brazil is a hub of innovation with deep ties to the USA. WEG, a giant in electric motors, operates a plant in Georgia. GranBio, born in the IPT ecosystem, is building a biorefinery in the USA focused on advanced biofuels.

Marcopolo and Tupy, with factories in Mexico, take advantage of the proximity to close deals with American clients. The Technological Institute of Aeronautics (ITA), created with US support, collaborates with NASA on projects such as the SPORT satellite and SelenITA, aimed at the Moon.

 The Federal University of Viçosa, inspired by Purdue University, helped found Embrapa, which transformed our agriculture. On the IPT campus, Google is establishing a research center for 400 engineers, signaling that Brazil is a globally relevant innovation hub.

Trump challenges Brazilian sovereignty.

Despite this robust partnership, Brazil now faces a diplomatic challenge. After remaining discreet, the country is in Trump's crosshairs, with threats of 50% tariffs on Brazilian products and accusations of an alleged "witch hunt" against political allies. It is the most serious test since the beginning of Trump's second term.

The Brazilian government responded firmly, but without personalizing the conflict, affirming the independence of its institutions. Statements such as "Brazil is a sovereign country that will not accept being tutored" and references to the Economic Reciprocity Law demonstrate an institutional stance. 

Brazil could go further, highlighting that these tariffs violate WTO rules, positioning itself as a defender of multilateralism, and reinforcing protection for productive sectors to gain domestic support.

Mexico, a frequent target of Trump, offers valuable lessons. President Claudia Sheinbaum combines firmness and pragmatism, rejecting external interference but maintaining open dialogue. This "Sheinbaum strategy" avoids rhetorical escalations and preserves autonomy.

Brazil is following a similar path, but alternatives such as direct confrontation, servile concessions, or strategic silence are not suitable. Confrontation, like that with China, requires economic scale that Brazil does not possess; flattery, seen in the case of Panama with its withdrawal from the Belt and Road Initiative, weakens the negotiating position and is unfeasible for a center-left government; silence signals weakness and wastes the chance to assert leadership. 

With a diplomatic legacy inherited from Baron Rio Branco, Brazil can navigate this crisis by defending its institutions, engaging in dialogue with mutual respect and, if necessary, responding reciprocally, without abandoning multilateralism.

Ultimately, retaliation should be strategic.

In my view, I hope that Brazil will not need to resort to retaliatory measures to protect its economy and the jobs of millions of Brazilians affected by the unilateral 50% tariffs imposed by Trump, scheduled for August 2025. These tariffs could increase the price of, for example, hamburgers in the US, or coffee, harming consumers and producers.

Retaliation should not follow the logic of "an eye for an eye, a tooth for a tooth," as the law of retaliation has no place in economics or any sphere of modern life. 

If necessary, Brazil should adopt specific measures, such as taxing tech giants — Google, Meta, Amazon, X — or conducting rapid and consistent studies to break American pharmaceutical patents. It is regrettable that the heart seems to have shifted, now residing in the pocket, but Brazil must protect its people with strategic, not impulsive, actions.

Brazilian diplomacy shines globally.

The Brazil-US relationship goes beyond trade; it's a web of mutual interests in security, food, mobility, and technology. Brazil is not just a supplier—it's an indispensable ally. However, the tensions reveal an imbalance.

Tariffs like the ones proposed could undermine this partnership, harming both sides. Negotiation, not retaliation, is the way forward. Even major powers know that high tariffs are a lose-lose situation—protectionism benefits no one.

Having traveled to 57 countries, I can affirm: Brazil has a unique vocation to be a major global player. Our diplomacy, shaped by Baron Rio Branco, is recognized for mediating conflicts and building bridges, from Haiti to the UN.

The hosting of Rio-92 and the upcoming COP-30, scheduled for November 2025, reinforce our leadership role in global issues such as climate change. This diplomatic capacity, combined with our natural and cultural wealth, positions Brazil as a protagonist on the international stage.

The Brazil I see

Brazilian hospitality, more than football or flair, defines our people and strengthens our image as a reliable partner in the world. Data from the IBGE (Brazilian Institute of Geography and Statistics) shows that Brazil is home to 1,3 million immigrants, and the 2020 World Values ​​Survey revealed that only 5,8% of Brazilians feel uncomfortable with foreign neighbors, well below the global average of 14,2%.

Cases of xenophobia are rare and do not appear in significant global indices, such as those of the Anti-Defamation League. From Haitian refugees to American investors, Brazil welcomes everyone.

Despite this peaceful nature, Brazil faces occasional problems. Attacks in schools are rare — fewer than 20 serious incidents between 2002 and 2023, according to the Ministry of Education, a low number for a country of 200 million inhabitants, but worrying nonetheless.

Intolerance against religions of African origin persists, with approximately 1.000 cases registered in Rio de Janeiro in 2022, according to the Commission to Combat Religious Intolerance, indicating the need for more robust policies. Brazil's last major war was against Paraguay (1864-1870), but our participation in World War II, with 25.000 soldiers sent to Europe, shows a history of limited but significant engagement.

The 2024 World Peace Index ranks Brazil as the 54th most peaceful country in the world, ahead of many major powers. These cases are exceptions, far from defining a disturbed or belligerent society.

In every nation I visited, I sought the best—and in Brazil, the best is abundant. We are a people who welcome, innovate, and protect our resources with growing environmental awareness. The Amazon, with its biodiversity and rivers, is a global heritage.

Our meat, aircraft, science, and diplomacy place us at the center of the world stage. The true treasure is our people: diverse, warm, and ready to build a future that honors their global vocation. May the world see us this way—and may we see ourselves with this pride.