Brazil's Economic Crisis Means Visa Waivers for USA Are Even Scarcer Than Before

07/20/2016 - 10h58

The man appointed by interim President Michel Temer to the most important role in Brazilian diplomacy -the embassy in Washington-, Sérgio Amaral, 72, said that today Brazil is even further from closing a deal on visa exemptions with the USA.

Why Amaral's long face? The answer is simple: Brazil's economic crisis. "If before getting a visa waiver was tricky, now its nigh-on impossible," Amaral told Folha.

Amaral has already been accepted by the US government for the ambassadorial role; however confirmation of his position still awaits approval in the Brazilian Senate. The decision will be made on August 11.

José Serra, Brazil's current Minister for Foreign Relations, has already promised to negotiate non-tariff barriers with the USA. But what exactly are the Brazilian government's priorities where international relations are concerned?

Most countries in the world employ a series of protectionist measures. In America's case, tariff peaks in certain areas could have detrimental effects on certain Brazilian exports. For example, in the past, ethanol has been a well protected sector. Today, however, there is more flexibility when exporting alcohol. Cotton exports have long been subsidised, which inhibits exportation.

Are there any ways Brazil can work around the visa waiver difficulties?

Organising visa exemptions is certainly difficult at the moment. Not least because the USA has a regulation in place that stipulates that rejected visa requests from Brazil cannot exceed 3%. Lately, Brazilians have bypassed this 3% owing to the effects of the economic crisis. As the financial situation deteriorates in Brazil, more and more citizens are seeking employment in the USA. Simultaneously, immigration checks on the North American border are becoming more rigorous, leading to a higher number of visa applications being rejected. Previously, visa exemptions were rare, now they are like gold dust.

Which candidate - Hillary Clinton or Donald Trump - promises better bilateral relations between America and Brazil?

The electoral discourses of both Presidential candidates show that American society is still tenaciously protectionist. However, these tendencies seem to be entrenched in Trump's plans for the country, while Hillary's rhetoric reveals a more moderate attitude.
However, if Brazil were able to stabilise its own political situation, it would certainly qualify as an important trade partner for the US, regardless of which of the two politicians came into power.

Translated by GILLIAN SOPHIE HARRIS

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