Brazil is a country that has a very complex relationship with the rest of the world. It sits on the cusp of developing and developed nations, and thus is involved with politics of many diverse nations. International Relations in Brazil have focused on maintaining good relations with other countries and not becoming overly involved with any one nation. Brazil also is involved with many international organizations and is currently a member of G4. G4 is an organization between India, Germany, Japan and Brazil. These nations are currently trying to gain permanent seats on the United Nations Security Council. Brazil is also the commanding nation of the United Nations Stabilization Force in Haiti
International Relations in Brazil are organized around very specific goals. These goals are to help the search for equilibrium and unilateralism in the world, to increase international relations so that Brazil will have a greater international influence in negotiations, to facilitate an interchange of economic and cultural commodities with other nations, and to avoid any policies that would hurt the country in the long run. Almost all International Relations in Brazil are based around these sorts of directives.
Brazil has prioritized taking a leadership role in the Middle East and in South America over forming trade agreements with the United States and Europe. The logic behind this is that it will be a better long term investment for the economy to build a sphere of influence in up-and-coming economies. These influences in turn increase Brazil’s power with developed nations.
International Relations in Brazil also focus on increasing relations between Portuguese-speaking nations. They are a founding member of the Community of Portuguese Language Countries, and President Lula da Silva recently visited Africa to increase ties with Angola, São Tomé and Príncipe, and Mozambique, all Portuguese speaking nations. Brazil has also influence regional relations with other South American countries. Brazil is a member of the Southern Cone Common Market (also known as Mercosul) and the Union of South American Nations. Brazil however does not maintain ties with several nations including Honduras because of the 2009 coup d’état and Kosovo because of its contested status as an independent nation.
