Event Summary: A Conversation with Ambassador Sergio Amaral

Newly appointed Brazilian ambassador to the United States, Sérgio Amaral, came to the Wilson Center on September 13 to discuss Brazil-U.S. relations within the changing context of Brazil’s economic and political spheres. Below is a summary of the Ambassador’s presentation, which was his inaugural public address to the Washington policy community.

A retired career diplomat called back to duty by President Michel Temer, Ambassador Sérgio Amaral served twice before in Washington, most recently in the 1990s as deputy chief of mission at the Brazilian Embassy to the United States. He was press secretary and spokesman under President Fernando Henrique Cardoso in the 1990s, before being named minister of Development, Industry and Commerce. Amaral was also ambassador to the United Kingdom and France, deputy-minister for the Environment and president of the Brazil-China Business Council. Ambassador Amaral is a close adviser to Foreign Minister José Serra, and his appointment signals a clear shift in Brazil’s foreign policy focus. His mission in Washington is to foster positive relations with the United States, with particular emphasis on trade and commerce.

Paulo Sotero, director of the Brazil Institute at the Wilson Center, opened the event before welcoming to the podium Ambassador Anthony Harrington. Former U.S. ambassador to Brazil and chair of the Brazil Institute Advisory Council, Ambassador Harrington introduced Ambassador Amaral. A Q&A session followed the Ambassador’s address.