Trump Hails Brazil Ties, Wants Brazil in NATO

Expresses interest in deepening ties with Bolsonaro

President Trump’s meeting with Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro seems to be going well, with talk of a growing “North-South Axis,” and increasing interest in trade relations as well as deepening military ties.

While the most immediate impact was President Trump urging US rocket companies to use Brazil for space launches, arguing it is the “ideal launch location.” Deepening Brazil’s international role may be a bigger deal.

Trump revealed he is “very strongly” inclined to accept Brazil into NATO, or at least granting NATO some sort of position of privilege within the alliance that may stop short of full membership.

This could include being granted Major Non-NATO Ally (MNNA) status, which would give Brazil preferential access to the US weapons market. They would be the second Latin American country with such status, after only Colombia.

Author: Jason Ditz

Jason Ditz is Senior Editor for Antiwar.com. He has 20 years of experience in foreign policy research and his work has appeared in The American Conservative, Responsible Statecraft, Forbes, Toronto Star, Minneapolis Star-Tribune, Providence Journal, Washington Times, and the Detroit Free Press.