Brazil and Mexico meeting to revive relationship

Folha International

26 may, 2015

Rousseff and Peña Nieto Try to Revive Relationship Between Brazil and Mexico

President Dilma Rousseff and her Mexican colleague, Enrique Peña Nieto, will meet this Tuesday (26th) in the Mexican capital.

Accompanied by entourages made up of a large number of entrepreneurs (50 on Brazil's side), the two leaders also seek to transmit positive political messages to their domestic audiences.

In an interview with the Mexican newspaper "La Jornada," Rousseff said the speculation about the possibility of her impeachment in Brazil does not scare her.

Peña Nieto has already sought to focus on issues with the Mexican economy (3% growth expected in 2015) and the success of the energy reform, after privatization of part of the production from state-run Pemex.

The intention is to divert popular attention from the accusations of corruption involving senior officials of his government and the bad international repercussions of violence caused by the war against drug trafficking.

With his approval rate dropping (39%, according to a survey from newspaper "Reforma"), Peña Nieto is trying to reunite the PRI (Institutional Revolution Party) with his eye on the legislative elections on June 7.

The vote could mean the end of the broad support that the president had in Congress and that allowed him to amend the Constitution in his reform plan.

According to Itamaraty, the highlight of the meeting will be the signing of a cooperation agreement and investment protection between the two countries.

It will be the first time that Brazil signs an agreement of this type with a Latin American country.

Brazil comes to the meeting having lost relevance in bilateral trade in recent years. The Brazilian surplus began to fall in 2007 until it turned into a deficit in 2009.

Currently, the deficit is US$ 1.7 billion, according to the CNI (National Confederation of Industry).

fonte: Folha SP