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Rousseff, Obama to talk trade in Washington on Monday
June 27, 2015, 4:46 am

The leftist Brazilian leader canceled a state visit to the United States in October 2013, after she was angered by revelations that the US National Security Agency had tapped her personal communications [PPIO]

The leftist Brazilian leader canceled a state visit to the United States in October 2013, after she was angered by revelations that the US National Security Agency had tapped her personal communications [PPIO]

Brazil’s President Dilma Rousseff will visit Washington next week after more than a year of efforts by both sides to heal relations strained by spying revelations.

“Rousseff and Obama will meet Monday (29) in the US to boost bilateral relations and discuss trade agreements and mutual investments,” said an official statement on the Brazilian government website.

On her trip to Washington, Rousseff wants to attract more US investment and technology to Brazil. Rousseff will, later next month, travel to Russia for the 7th BRICS Leaders Summit.

The leftist Brazilian leader canceled a state visit to the United States in October 2013, after she was angered by revelations that the US National Security Agency had tapped her personal communications.

Brazil had requested explanations from Washington on information of US spying in Brazil that was first revealed when NSA contractor Edward Snowden leaked vital intelligence data to the media.

The data showed that there was a persistent and continuing effort by the US government to use a widespread surveillance scheme that monitored millions of e-mails and phone calls made by Brazilian citizens and companies, as well as foreigners in the country.

The Brazilian Senate had formed an Investigative Parliamentary Commission to probe reports that the NSA monitored emails and intercepted phone calls between Rousseff and several of her top aides.

During her upcoming trip to Washington, Rousseff and Obama will also discuss climate change negotiations, US media reports said.

Rousseff’s popularity at home has tumbled because of record unemployment and a corruption scandal at state-run oil giant Petrobras.

Brazil’s $2.2 trillion economy, Latin America’s biggest, has weakened considerably over the past few years.

Brazil-US trade totaled $72 billion in 2014, up 20 per cent from 2010, with a $12 billion surplus in favor of the United States, according to the US Department of Commerce.

The United States is Brazil’s second-biggest export market behind China.

 

 

TBP