Green energy and energy transition areas are ripe for cooperation between the two nations, said U.S. Ambassador to Brazil Elizabeth Frawley Bagley

05/15/2024

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Elizabeth Frawley Bagley — Foto: Vanessa Carvalho/Valor

The U.S. ambassador to Brazil, Elizabeth Frawley Bagley, stated today (15) at the Summit Valor Econômico Brazil-USA that the United States is ready to invest and cooperate with Brazil in partnerships related to the energy transition and green energy, areas she said have great potential to increase trade relations between the two nations.

Participating in a panel on the 200th anniversary of the bilateral relationship between Brazil and the United States at the Summit Valor Econômico Brazil-USA, Ambassador Elizabeth Frawley Bagley highlighted the promising prospects of the green economy. “Brazil’s focus on the energy transition to clean energy is an area in which the U.S. is ready to invest and which offers excellent opportunities to further solidify the partnership between the two countries,” she said. The event, held today (15) in New York, gathers Brazilian and American businesspeople, government officials, and experts from various sectors to discuss the challenges and main business opportunities between the two nations.

Ambassador Bagley, whose diplomatic experience includes serving as a senior advisor to Secretaries of State John Kerry, Hillary Clinton, Madeleine Albright, and as a special representative to the United Nations General Assembly, praised the efforts of both countries to create jobs and increase prosperity for their people.

She highlighted the partnership announced last year by Presidents Biden and Lula, aimed at combating precarious work and promoting the creation of decent jobs. This initiative, formalized during the UN General Assembly, involves collaboration with trade union partners from both countries and the International Labour Organization (ILO).

The U.S. Ambassador also expressed solidarity with the people of Rio Grande do Sul, mentioning that the United States is sending donations and supplies in partnership with the Army and the Foreign Affairs Ministry to mobilize resources for the affected regions. “We are with you. Ten of our people have lost everything, and we share not only the pain of this tragedy but also the solidarity,” she said.

Private sector creating jobs

Ambassador Bagley pointed out that American exports to Brazil support almost 150,000 jobs in the U.S., underscoring the significant role of the private sector in both countries in generating job opportunities for their citizens. She also mentioned that the United States is proud to be by far the largest foreign direct investor in Brazil, with a total of $191.6 billion invested in 2021.

The primary U.S. imports to Brazil include industrial and energy-related products such as refined fuels, natural gas, fertilizers, aircraft, and medical instruments, according to the U.S. embassy. Conversely, Brazil’s main exports to the U.S. are crude oil, aircraft, iron and steel, coffee, and cellulose.

Ambassador Bagley addressed an audience of Brazilian and American businesspeople, government officials, and experts from various sectors on Wednesday (15) at The Plaza Hotel in New York. The event is part of a comprehensive program celebrating the 25th anniversary of Valor, which will conclude in May next year.

Celebrating 200 years of bilateral relations

Regarding the bicentennial of relations between Brazil and the U.S., celebrated this year, Ambassador Bagley noted that hundreds of events are planned, including exchange programs, art exhibitions, concerts broadcast via YouTube, and the first NFL game in Latin America. “The bicentennial is an opportunity for an even better future, highlighting the importance that our bilateral relationship has had for the economy and our peoples.”

She also emphasized the historical support of the U.S. in significant moments for Brazil, such as being the first country to recognize Brazil’s independence in 1824, even before Portugal. “We recognized Brazil’s independence before Portugal, and we’re proud of that,” she remarked.

The ambassador stressed that the economic partnership forms one of the relationship’s foundations between the two countries.

“As the largest democracies in the Western Hemisphere, the partnership between Brazil and the U.S. is rooted in a shared commitment to sustainable economic growth and prosperity,” she said.

In an interview with Valor editor-in-chief Maria Fernanda Delmas following her panel discussion, Ambassador Bagley highlighted the importance and potential for growth in sports diplomacy activities, including investment partnerships in sports courts and training for Brazilian athletes by NBA professionals. “We will also collaborate in soccer between the women’s soccer teams of the two countries,” she added. “A lot is going on.”

Regarding the Brazil-U.S. CEO Forum, a group formed in 2007 that brings together up to 12 U.S. CEOs and 12 Brazilian CEOs to develop joint recommendations for both governments on how to increase bilateral trade, Ambassador Bagley praised the role of the American Chamber of Commerce (AmCham) in bringing companies together. “We talk about the green economy and green energy; we’ve been working with Embrapa [Brazilian Agricultural Research Enterprise] for several years. Everyone was very impressed with the Brazilians, their commitment to entrepreneurship, and their technical knowledge.”

On potential investments in the transition to a green energy economy, the U.S. Ambassador mentioned that several proposals on green hydrogen and infrastructure will be presented at the G20 Leaders’ Summit in November 2024 in Rio de Janeiro, attended by leaders of the 19 member countries, plus the African Union and the European Union. “We have a lot of cooperation and coordination [going on] and a lot to discuss.”

*Por Ligia Guimarães — São Paulo

Source: Valor International

https://valorinternational.globo.com/