Trump and Brazil's far-right leader bond over political views
US president Donald Trump has forged a bond over shared politics with Brazil’s far-right leader Jair Bolsonaro, with talks of better trade agreements between the two countries.
Bolsonaro was at the White house on Tuesday, where the two held a joint news conference gloating about their relations.
Trump said he told Bolsonaro he would designate Brazil a major non-NATO ally, while Bolsonaro praised Trump for changing the US in ways he hopes to change Brazil.
Bolsonaro, who’s been hailed the "Trump of the Tropics," has been criticized for adopting Trump’s blunt persona on twitter and in person.
Bolsonaro has often declared himself a shameless admirer of the US president and the American way of life.
‘Brazil and the United States are tied by the guarantee of liberty, respect for the traditional family, the fear of God our creator, against gender identity, political correctness and fake news,’ Bolsonaro said.
Trump and Bolsonaro also celebrated their joint efforts to oust Venezuela’s left-wing leader, Nicolas Maduro.
The two also bonded over their fondness of family politics. Trump praised Bolsonaro's son Eduardo, a congressman who openly supports Trump, wearing a Trump 2020 hat when visiting Washington last year.
Trump and Bolsonaro talk trade agreements
Trump and Bolsonaro also discussed increasing trade between the two countries and a commitment to reducing barriers.
‘Brazil makes great product and we make great product, and our trade has been never as good as it should be in the past. And in some cases it should be far, far more,’ Trump said.
The two struck initial agreements on agricultural trade, with better access for American wheat and pork exports to Brazil and the possibility of pick up sales of Brazilian fresh beef to the US.
Trump told Bolsonaro he would designate Brazil a major non-NATO ally, which would mean a status upgrade that gives a country preferential access to the purchase of US military equipment and technology.
Bolsonaro backs border wall
In a Fox News interview on Monday, Bolsonaro backed Trump’s controversial immigration policies.
‘We do agree with President Trump's decision or proposal on the wall," Bolsonaro said.
‘The vast majority of potential immigrants do not have good intentions. They do not intend to do the best or do good to the U.S. people.’ Bolsonaro said.
Bolsonaro then backflipped on his comments, after they caused an uproar among Brazillians in the US.
Bolsonaro had to then issued an apology.
‘I meant to say that a little part of the people who immigrate don't have good intentions and I made a mistake. I apologize for that,’ he said.
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