FOREIGN POLICY DURING THE CARDOSO

Administration (1995-2003)

Biographical Highlights

President of Brazil (1995-2003)

Son of a Army general from Rio de Janeiro

Academic◦ Political economist◦ Graduate work in USA

Founder of Brazilian Social Democratic leaders

Reputation gained by taming inflation during administration of President Itamar Franco

Emphasis on “soft power”

Brazilian sift power used to reshape international environment with “regimes”more favorable to Brazilian interests

Military power downplayed

Military balance seen as less important

Emphasis on economic power

Transitory economic recovery Economic downturn 1986-87 Writing a new constitution (1987-88)

◦ Constitutional convention dominated by traditional political class

◦ Two rounds of voting for president if no candidate has first round majority

◦ Senate & Chamber of deputies favors traditional areas of the country

Rebuild international credibility on the basis of internal stability ◦ Trustworthiness facilitates some foreign

investment◦ International good will toward Brazil increases

Tony Blair Bill Clinton

◦ Residual negative feelings toward Brazil persist Low rate of economic growth limits limits

possibility of using foreign policy to gain strategic advantage

* Explicit acknowledgement of the “central position” of USA in world order* Limits “special relationship”

1997 – Clinton visits Latin America 2001 - Cardoso at White House

1997 – Brazil signs Nuclear non-proliferation Treaty

Put off FTTA for as long as possible

Relations grew more rocky toward end of Cardoso’s second term

* Cooperation with Argentina’s Carlos Menem

* Mercosul consolidated as a customs union◦ Joint adherence with

Argentina into NNPT◦ Defense of democracy

* Movement to transform Mercosul into a common market (Oro Preto Protocol – 1994)

Mercosur/Mercosul's flag in the city of Brasília, Brazil

Signed Marrakesh Protocol – created WTO

Priority given to multilateral organizations

Assistance provided for Brazilian business◦ Subsidies to Bombardier

by Canadian gvt. ◦ Pressure on U.S.

pharmaceudicals to break patents on NIV/Aids drugs

Functions:• Administering WTO trade agreements• Forum for trade negotiations• Handling trade disputes• Monitoring national trade policies• Technical assistance and training for developing countries• Cooperation with other international

organizations 

* Cardoso visits China twice * In 2002 China becomes # 2 trading partner with Brazil

Trade between Brazil & India hardly increases

Charles Tang, Chairman of the Brazil-China Chamber of Industry & Commerce

Cardoso & Putin

Trade increases but remains small

Portugal◦ Purchase of privatized

state companies◦ Increased Brazilian

presence in Portuguese speaking Africa

◦ Peace keeping mission to Angola

Cuba ◦ Relations stable◦ Cardoso constant critic

of U.S. economic embargo

Japan ◦ Important trading

partner◦ Did not participate in

purchase of privatized Brazilian companies

◦ Ties strengthened with Japanese-Brazilian community

January 1, 2003Democratic transition from from Fernando Henrique Cardoso

to Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva