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Summary
Domestic
The primary domestic development centered on the European Parliament's decision to pause ratification of the historic EU-Mercosur trade agreement, a move that directly impacts Brazil's economic prospects. This action, driven by opposition from European farmers, sent the pact to the European Court of Justice for review, effectively freezing the process after 26 years of negotiations. Domestically, Lula signed the law finalizing Brazil's major tax reform, launching its new regulatory platform while vetoing a specific tax break for football clubs. He also enacted significant federal budget changes, including vetoing billions in parliamentary amendments, reallocating funds, and signing the 2026 budget with vetoes. Other actions included signing a 5.4% raise for teachers' minimum wage and a law for retroactive pandemic-era benefit payments to public servants. These fiscal moves occurred alongside political friction, including a court siding with a meal voucher company to suspend government changes to its program.
International
The EU and Mercosur, after 25 years, formally signed their landmark free trade agreement, aimed at creating one of the world's largest free-trade zones. However, this achievement was immediately overshadowed by the European Parliament's vote to refer the pact to the EU's top court, halting ratification. This political delay was driven by substantial protests from European farmers, particularly in France and Ireland, who fear being undercut by cheaper agricultural imports. French farmers drove tractors into Paris, leading to arrests and prompting France to announce it would vote against the deal. The official signing in Asunción was attended by Argentina's Milei, but Lula was notably absent. The agreement is widely viewed as a strategic response to Trump's protectionist trade policies. Separately, Brazil is monitoring Venezuela's growing debt default, which has increased by over $300 million since Lula took office, and a potential decree from Trump regarding Iran, seen as a risk to Brazilian agricultural exports.
Domestic and International Topics
8 topics | 266 sources
BRThe European Parliament voted to refer a major free trade agreement between the European Union and the Mercosur bloc of South American nations to the EU's top court. This move delays the ratification process for the deal, which was signed after more than 25 years of negotiations. Thousands of farmers protested against the agreement in Strasbourg ahead of the vote, and the decision drew support from both far-right and far-left political groups. The French government opposed a provisional application of the treaty, calling it a 'democratic violation'. The agreement, signed in Asuncion, Paraguay, aims to create one of the world's largest free trade zones, covering 700 million people. Mercosur officials have said they intend to continue working to ratify the pact despite the European Parliament's action.
person:von der leyenperson:trumpperson:mileiorg:mercosurorg:eutopic:beeftopic:trade agreementtopic:trade deal
Jan 29
President Lula has signed several major pieces of legislation, including the 2026 budget and the final regulations for the tax reform. He vetoed about R$ 400 million in parliamentary amendments and blocked another R$ 11 billion in funds. Separately, the government is dealing with political and judicial pushback. A court suspended Lula's changes to meal and food voucher rules for the company Ticket. Lula also made comments criticizing the owner of Banco Master and defended a higher minimum wage.
person:lulatopic:budgettopic:tax reform
Jan 29
Brazil's state-run oil company Petrobras is making several major moves. The company announced it will invest 6 billion reais to build its first biorefinery, which will produce renewable fuels. Separately, Petrobras and the investment firm IG4 are preparing an agreement to take turns controlling the petrochemical company Braskem, swapping control every two years. There is also political activity, with a faction of the government from Bahia state pushing for the head of Petrobras's legal department to be appointed as Brazil's Justice Minister.
org:petrobras
Jan 20
Petrobras has halted its drilling operations in the Foz do Amazonas region after a leak of drilling fluid was reported. The Brazilian environmental agency Ibama says the leaked fluid was biodegradable. Federal prosecutors in the state of Amapá have given Petrobras and Ibama 48 hours to provide explanations about the incident.
org:petrobrasorg:ibamaplace:foz do amazonas
Jan 7
CNThe Chinese state-owned aluminum company Chinalco and the Australian mining giant Rio Tinto have agreed to buy a controlling stake in the Brazilian aluminum producer CBA. The deal is valued at $904 million and will give the two companies joint control of the firm, which was previously part of the Votorantim industrial group.
org:chinalcoorg:rio tintoorg:cbatopic:aluminum
Jan 30
Brazilian authorities are investigating a massive fraud case involving Banco Master. The probe is looking into an alleged scheme worth billions of dollars. President Lula commented on the case, saying a citizen had carried out a 'coup' against the bank, though he did not name the individual under investigation.
org:banco master
Jan 23
USThe Brazilian government under President Lula is dealing with two significant international financial issues. One is a growing debt from Venezuela, which has increased by $312 million during Lula's current term. The other is a potential trade risk for Brazil's agribusiness sector, as the government awaits a new decree from President Donald Trump regarding Iran.
person:lula
Jan 13
Brazilian billionaire Eike Batista has been traveling between Washington, D.C., and Caracas, Venezuela, reportedly to pursue oil deals. At the same time, President Donald Trump is backing a bill that would impose sanctions on countries, including Brazil, for importing Russian oil.
topic:oil
Jan 14