During his July 29 to August 1 visit, U.S. Secretary of Commerce Wilbur Ross reinforced strong and growing U.S.-Brazil relations.
On July 30, Secretary Ross and Chargé d’Affaires William Popp participated in Amcham Brasil’s 100th anniversary celebration in São Paulo and met with São Paulo state Governor João Doria.
Secretary Ross highlighted the United States’ ongoing commitment to a strong commercial and economic relationship with Brazil in meetings with President Jair Bolsonaro, Minister of Economy Paulo Guedes, and Minister of Science, Technology, Innovation, and Communications Marcos Pontes on July 31; and with Minister of Infrastructure Tarcisio Gomes de Freitas on August 1.
On August 1, Secretary Ross joined a session on Venezuela Reconstruction at the 17th Latin American Infrastructure Leadership Forum, hosted by CG/LA Infrastructure, Inc. He later delivered the Leadership Forum’s Keynote Address, where he stated, “At the Department of Commerce, we are working closely with Brazil and other Latin American governments – engaging at all levels – to build a dynamic regional economy. We are advocating a business environment based on predictability, transparency, and rule of law – an environment where trade and investment can flourish.” He also met with CEOs from the United States, Brazil, and the region.
As part of the visit, Kristie Pellecchia, Senior Advisor for the Western Hemisphere at the Overseas Private Investment Corporation (OPIC), the U.S. government’s development finance institution, and Veronica Sánchez Rios, Secretary for Coordination of Strategic Works of the Brazilian Investment Partnership Program (PPI), signed a memorandum of understanding to enhance cooperation on infrastructure development. The memorandum will facilitate private investments through OPIC, which will transform into the U.S. International Development Finance Corporation (DFC) in October 2019
See the Secretary’s remarks during his visit here:
- Remarks by Commerce Secretary Wilbur L. Ross at AMCHAM Centennial
- Remarks by Commerce Secretary Wilbur L. Ross at CGLA Venezuela Breakfast
- Remarks by Commerce Secretary Wilbur L. Ross at 17th Latin American Infrastructure Leadership Forum
See photos of Secretary Ross in Brazil on our Mission Flickr Page.
