As a previous poster said, Brazil is an active member of the WTO. Though some would call it an opponent of the organization, the truth it is one of the most active members and has consistently taken advantage of the regulatory authority the institution has to break down unfair trade barriers. Given brazil's agricultural wealth, it is conisistently filing complaints against the US and EU for their protectionist agricultural policies, and it is slowly but surely forcing reforms in these countries. Some might say that Brazil's fervor and interest in using WTO mechanisms has actually strengthened the organization.
Brazil is not a member of NAFTA, which includes only the US, Canada and México and has no formal relationship with that organziation.
Brazil is a member of Mercosur, a customs union between Brazil, Paraguay, Uruguay and Argentina with Chile and Bolivia as associate members. Essentially, these countries have agreed to lower certain import tariffs to allow one another's companies to more easily conduct trans-national business. Mercosur has only had modest success, however, because of the willingness of Brazil and Argneinta to break the rules and the lack of enforcement power within the organization.
Regarding the UN, Brazil has actively sought the expansion of and a permanent seat on the UN Security Council, the UN's most powerful group. It has argued, with the support of many other countries, that the fact that the permanent members (except for China) are all developed Western powers skews the vision of the organization, and that Brazil, with its multicultural population, well developed manufacturing and financial industries and impoverished population allows it to see international affairs through the lenses of many different countires, thus making it an excelent candidate for a permanent seat on the Council.
2007-10-18 00:49:21
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answer #1
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answered by Algo Asi 2
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Brazil has filed a new complaint against the United States at the World Trade Organization, alleging that U.S. payments to farmers have exceeded WTO limits.
The request for consultations marks the first step in what could become another lengthy dispute between the U.S. and Brazil over the billions of dollars (euros) Washington gives out annually in farm subsidies. They have argued for the last four years over the legality of U.S. payments American cotton farmers.
The new case also comes amid strained commercial relations between the U.S. and Brazil, which publicly blamed each other for the collapse of talks last month seen as critical in the 150-member WTO's drive to conclude a new global trade pact.
The Brazilian Foreign Ministry announced the decision Wednesday, just hours after U.S. Treasury Secretary Henry Paulson left Brasilia following a meeting with Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva.
2007-10-16 18:47:17
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answer #2
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answered by FRAGINAL, JTM 7
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