EXIM Chairman Kimberly Reed, National Security Advisor Robert O'Brien, U.S. Delegation Conclude Successful First Day of Economic Discussions in Brazil

Largest U.S. Economic Delegation to Visit Brazil in Decades, Focuses on Advancing U.S.-Brazil Relationship, Brazilians Sign Agreements with United States Trade Representative and U.S. International Development Finance Corporation
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE October 19, 2020
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WASHINGTON - Export-Import Bank of the United States (EXIM) President and Chairman Kimberly A. Reed today joined a U.S. delegation to Brazil led by National Security Advisor Ambassador Robert O'Brien to discuss how the U.S. and Brazil can promote freedom, economic growth, jobs, and prosperity for both countries.

"Brazil is a vital economic partner of the United States. Our delegation, which is the largest U.S. economic delegation to visit Brazil in decades, reaffirms the Trump Administration's commitment to freedom, economic growth, and prosperity in both countries," said EXIM Chairman Reed. "It is an honor to join National Security Advisor Ambassador Robert O'Brien, and my interagency colleagues, as we focus on working toward a shared vision of expanding bilateral trade and investment between our countries. We had very productive discussions today with Brazil's Minister of Economy Guedes and Foreign Minister Araujo, and we look forward to exciting developments tomorrow."

Those participating in U.S. delegation events include the following:

  • Ambassador Robert O'Brien, National Security Advisor
  • Ambassador Todd C. Chapman, U.S. Ambassador to Brazil
  • Kimberly Reed, President and Chairman, EXIM
  • Ambassador Michael Nemelka, Deputy U.S. Trade Representative
  • Sabrina Teichman, Managing Director for the Western Hemisphere, U.S. International Development Finance Corporation
  • Joshua Hodges, National Security Advisor Senior Director for Western Hemisphere Affairs

Also representing EXIM was Chief of Staff Ryan McCormack.

The delegation this morning participated in a discussion with the Federation of Industries of the State of Sao Paulo (FIESP), the American Chamber of Commerce leadership, and Brazilian CEOs focusing on the U.S.-Brazilian economic relationship and China's influence in the region.

In the afternoon, the delegation participated in a meeting with Brazil Minister of Economy Paulo Guedes on initiatives to increase U.S. investment in infrastructure and energy. The delegation also met with Brazil Foreign Minister Ernesto Araujo to discuss how the U.S. and Brazil can work together to foster economic and national security in the region.

During the day, the United States Trade Representative and Brazilian officials updated the agreement on trade and economic cooperation with new protocol on trade rules and transparency. The U.S. International Development Finance Corporation also signed two investment agreements with Brazilian companies, which will create work for thousands of Brazilians.

This delegation also supports the Trump Administration's America Crece initiative, which is a whole-of-government approach to support economic development by catalyzing private-sector investment in energy and other infrastructure projects across the Americas.

ABOUT EXIM:

EXIM is an independent federal agency that promotes and supports American jobs by providing competitive and necessary export credit to support sales of U.S. goods and services to international buyers. A robust EXIM can level the global playing field for U.S. exporters when they compete against foreign companies that receive support from their governments. EXIM also contributes to U.S. economic growth by helping to create and sustain hundreds of thousands of jobs in exporting businesses and their supply chains across the United States. In recent years, approximately 90 percent of the total number of the agency's authorizations has directly supported small businesses. Since 1992, EXIM has generated more than $9 billion for the U.S. Treasury for repayment of U.S. debt.

For more information about EXIM, please visit www.exim.gov.

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