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Brazil - Relations with U.S. (Notes)

U.S.-BRAZILIAN RELATIONS The United States was the first country to recognize Brazils independence in 1822. The two countries have traditionally enjoyed friendly, active relations encompassing a broad political and economic agenda. The relationship between Brazil and the U.S. strengthened with the inauguration of Brazils internationally oriented, reformist President Fernando Henrique Cardoso in 1995. President Bush invited then President-elect Lula to Washington for a meeting in December 2002. President Lula again visited Washington for a summit on June 20, 2003. Documents covering the results of the summit can be found on the White House and State Department web sites. Deepening U.S.-Brazil engagement and cooperation are reflected in the continuing high-level contacts between the two governments, including reciprocal visits by Presidents Bush and Lula in March 2007 (see Joint Statement) and President Bush?s visit to Brazil in November 2005 (see Joint Statement). Ongoing topics of discussion and cooperation include trade and finance; hemispheric economic integration; Free Trade Area of the Americas; regional security; nonproliferation and arms control; human rights and trafficking in persons; international crime, including financial support to terrorist groups; counter-narcotics; and environmental issues. Existing bilateral agreements include an Education Partnership Agreement, which enhances and expands cooperative initiatives in such areas as standards-based education reform, use of technology, and professional development of teachers; a Mutual Legal Assistance treaty--ratified in 2001; and agreements on cooperation in energy, the environment, science & technology, and transportation. In March 2007, the United States and Brazil signed three separate memoranda of understanding to increase cooperation on biofuels (MOU text; fact sheet), education (MOU text; media note) and legislative capacity building in Guinea-Bissau (MOU media note). U.S. Embassy and Consulate Functions The U.S. embassy and consulates in Brazil provide a wide range of services to U.S. citizens and business. Political, economic, and science officers deal directly with the Brazilian Government in advancing U.S. interests but also are available to brief U.S. citizens on general conditions in the country. Attachés from the U.S. Commercial Service and Foreign Agriculture Service work closely with hundreds of U.S. companies that maintain offices in Brazil. These officers provide information on Brazilian trade and industry regulations and administer several programs to aid U.S. companies starting or maintaining business ventures in Brazil. The number of trade events and U.S. companies traveling to Brazil to participate in U.S. Commercial Service and Foreign Agriculture Service programs has tripled over the last three years. The consular section of the embassy provides vital services to the estimated 60,000 U.S. citizens residing in Brazil. Among other services, the consular section assists Americans who wish to participate in U.S. elections while abroad and provides U.S. tax information. Besides the U.S. residents living in Brazil, some 150,000 U.S. citizens visit annually. The consular section offers passport and emergency services to U.S. tourists as needed during their stay in Brazil. Principal U.S. Embassy Officials Ambassador--Clifford M. Sobel Deputy Chief of Mission--Philip Chicola Defense Attaché--Colonel Brian Butcher, U.S. Army Consul General--Simon Henshaw Economic Counselor--Bruce Williamson Commercial Officer--Danny Devito Political Counselor--Dennis Hearne Science Counselor--Patricia Norman Public Affairs Counselor--Richard Stites Consul General in Sao Paulo--Christopher McMullen Consul General in Rio de Janeiro--Elizabeth Lee Martinez Consul in Recife--Diana Page The U.S. Embassy in Brasilia is located at SES Avenida das Nacoes, quadra 801, lote 3, Brasilia, DF, CEP: 70.403-900 (tel. 55-61-3312-7000), (fax 55-61-3225-9136). Internet: http://brasilia.usembassy.gov/. U.S. consulates general are in Rio de Janeiro and Sao Paulo, and a consulate is in Recife. Consular agents are located in Manaus, Belem, Salvador, Fortaleza, and Porto Alegre. Branch offices of the U.S. Foreign Commercial Services are located in Brasilia, Sao Paulo, Rio de Janeiro, and Belo Horizonte. Other Business Contacts U.S. Department of Commerce Office of Latin America and the Caribbean International Trade Administration 14th and Constitution Avenue, NW Washington, DC 20230 Tel: 202-482-0428 1-800-U.S.A-TRADE Fax: 202-482-4157 Automated fax service for trade-related info: 202-482-4464 American Chamber of Commerce of Sao Paulo Rua da Paz, No. 1431 04713-001 - Chacara Santo Antonio Sao Paulo - SP, Brazil Tel: 55-11-51-803-804 Fax: 55-11-51-803-777 E-mail: amhost@amcham.com.br American Chamber of Commerce of Rio de Janeiro Praca Pio X-15, 5th Floor Caixa Postal 916 20040 Rio de Janeiro--RJ-Brazil Tel: 55-21-2203-2477 Fax: 55-21-2263-4477 E-mail: amchambr@unisys.com.br