This is your classic economic globalization story, Brazil is an emerging market Canada should be trading more with it. It's more economic than global really, because most of us won't get the benefits of trade with Brazil no matter what. And to get those minimal benefits, the article states it will require more govt to govt contact, which doesn't include most of us.
Still, despite this, Brazl, like most countries of Latin America are better for Canada to focus on because they are closer in size and culture. A country like China doesn't give us much attention. China is sexier, but China is a great power and they want to play with the big boys, and that doesn't mean us. Also, Brazil is not a country conducting industrial espionage around the world like China is.
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Globe Editorial
Courting Brazil takes more than a drop-in visit
From Monday's Globe and Mail
Published Sunday, Sep. 18, 2011 10:00PM EDT
Last updated Sunday, Sep. 18, 2011 10:44PM EDT
Courting Brazil takes more than a drop-in visit - The Globe and Mail
Prime Minister Stephen Harper deserves praise for visiting the economic behemoth of Latin America last month, the first prime ministerial trip to Brazil in seven years. Yet spending a few days on the ground in Sao Paulo and Brasilia, and launching a Canada-Brazil CEO forum, will not transform the relationship, or cause new business and investment opportunities to flow automatically.
Many suitors are courting Brazil, and Canada must work hard to turn around a lukewarm association. The visit must be followed up with high-level ministerial exchanges, as well as serious efforts to market Canada to Brazilian entrepreneurs, and to understand Brazil’s challenges and opportunities.
Brazil isn’t just a regional leader, but a global one; its economy has surpassed Canada’s, and is slated to be the fifth largest in a few years. Old prejudices and assumptions must be set aside. The country’s rising geopolitical significance must be acknowledged, in the same way that Canada has changed its approach to emerging powers in Asia.
Canadians must take the time to understand where Brazil leads as a country, its success in fostering inclusive growth, and expertise in such sectors as biofuels, information technology, aircraft assembly and energy, including underwater oil exploration and exploitation. It is also a leader in alternative energy, with almost half of its energy coming from renewable sources. “Just because Canada has discovered Brazil, doesn’t mean Brazil will dance with Canada at the ball,” says Professor Ted Hewitt, a leading Brazil expert at Queen’s University. “You need personal networks.”
“Brazilians anticipate several decades of growth and development,” notes Jennifer Jeffs, the president of the Canadian International Council, which is hosting a Brazil forum next week in Toronto with economic experts and political analysts from both countries. “Canada must establish strong bilateral relationships and networks in business, academe, industry, energy and environment, as well as culture.”
Especially, that is, if Canada is serious about boosting relatively stagnant levels of trade. Last year, bilateral trade with Brazil was just $5.9-billion (compared with $30-billion between Mexico and Canada). Home to one-third of Latin America’s population, and 40 per cent of its GDP, Brazil is a hemispheric player worth getting to know.
Still, despite this, Brazl, like most countries of Latin America are better for Canada to focus on because they are closer in size and culture. A country like China doesn't give us much attention. China is sexier, but China is a great power and they want to play with the big boys, and that doesn't mean us. Also, Brazil is not a country conducting industrial espionage around the world like China is.
============
Globe Editorial
Courting Brazil takes more than a drop-in visit
From Monday's Globe and Mail
Published Sunday, Sep. 18, 2011 10:00PM EDT
Last updated Sunday, Sep. 18, 2011 10:44PM EDT
Courting Brazil takes more than a drop-in visit - The Globe and Mail
Prime Minister Stephen Harper deserves praise for visiting the economic behemoth of Latin America last month, the first prime ministerial trip to Brazil in seven years. Yet spending a few days on the ground in Sao Paulo and Brasilia, and launching a Canada-Brazil CEO forum, will not transform the relationship, or cause new business and investment opportunities to flow automatically.
Many suitors are courting Brazil, and Canada must work hard to turn around a lukewarm association. The visit must be followed up with high-level ministerial exchanges, as well as serious efforts to market Canada to Brazilian entrepreneurs, and to understand Brazil’s challenges and opportunities.
Brazil isn’t just a regional leader, but a global one; its economy has surpassed Canada’s, and is slated to be the fifth largest in a few years. Old prejudices and assumptions must be set aside. The country’s rising geopolitical significance must be acknowledged, in the same way that Canada has changed its approach to emerging powers in Asia.
Canadians must take the time to understand where Brazil leads as a country, its success in fostering inclusive growth, and expertise in such sectors as biofuels, information technology, aircraft assembly and energy, including underwater oil exploration and exploitation. It is also a leader in alternative energy, with almost half of its energy coming from renewable sources. “Just because Canada has discovered Brazil, doesn’t mean Brazil will dance with Canada at the ball,” says Professor Ted Hewitt, a leading Brazil expert at Queen’s University. “You need personal networks.”
“Brazilians anticipate several decades of growth and development,” notes Jennifer Jeffs, the president of the Canadian International Council, which is hosting a Brazil forum next week in Toronto with economic experts and political analysts from both countries. “Canada must establish strong bilateral relationships and networks in business, academe, industry, energy and environment, as well as culture.”
Especially, that is, if Canada is serious about boosting relatively stagnant levels of trade. Last year, bilateral trade with Brazil was just $5.9-billion (compared with $30-billion between Mexico and Canada). Home to one-third of Latin America’s population, and 40 per cent of its GDP, Brazil is a hemispheric player worth getting to know.
