Ethanol can bring Brazil and USA closer

04/12/2012 - 09h48

Barack Obama told Dilma Rousseff that he is expecting that the recovery of the U.S. economy will be "slower than seen so far" and showed great interest in Brazilian oil and ethanol, according to a report to Folha of the meeting between the presidents.

The two leaders, who spoke for 90 minutes in the Oval Office on Monday, talked excitedly about a partnership in biofuels to be announced soon.

The idea, according to meeting participants and information obtained by Folha previously from the U.S. State Department, is that the U.S. and Brazil produce alcohol together in other countries.

The plan would relieve bottlenecks for the leaders of ethanol: a limited number of plants and the struggle for space with sugar in Brazil; and the more production of efficient ethanol than from corn by the US.

Obama was also incisive, saying he wants to sell machinery for the pré-sal production, lamenting the case of the national reserve.

Dilma reassured him, stating that American companies that produce in the country are "domestic" and that there is room to import in the first three years.

The conversation was dominated by the crisis. Dilma blamed her colleague for the cheap dollar, and heard that the problem is China. He, in turn, showed great concern with the recovery in her country.

"The advance in the labor market in the coming months should be like in March," he said. Before, more than 200,000 jobs a month had been created, and the decline to 120 thousand worries analysts.

This also concerned Obama, who made clear that his re-election in November depends on it. "I want us to continue working together," said the Brazilian, ignoring protocol.

The two leaders discussed global politics and "agreed to disagree" about Syria, according to reports.

Dilma said that an intervention in the country, in a civil conflict, is risky and classified military action led by the United States in Libya as failed, due to the creation of a "huge number of armed groups."

She reaffirmed the fear of a conflict in the region - an implicit reference to Iran - inflating the price of oil.

For one of those present, the presidents had a "great conversation", but "without the personalities clicking": they focused on work, "without saying anything amusing."

MICHELLE

Personally, she just sent greetings to the first lady, Michelle, and her daughters, whom she met in Brazil in 2011.

As is customary, Dilma took a gift to the Obamas: a picture from the artist from Piaui Francisco Galeno, with roots in Brazilian folk art and African references, resembling the couple.

VERENA FORNETTI collaborated from Nova York

Translated by DAVE WOLIN