They are the two largest economies in the Americas, but the US and Brazil could do better in terms of business collaboration. Bilateral trade last year was estimated at US$59bn, but from a Washington perspective at least, Brazil is seen as too much of a closed market to US manufactured exports. From a Brasília perspective, the view is just as critical. The US has long been seen as a pot calling the kettle black as far as protectionism is concerned - US agricultural tariffs and subsidies are highly criticised. There are some prospects of progress however, given the announcement in…

Brazil’s sugar-based ethanol sector is finally getting a chance to reclaim the market it once had in Brazil and abroad. A new government incentive package, announced on April 23, is expected to provide better conditions for local producers to increase their output, in the hope of allowing Brazil to reduce its imports of fossil fuels. The package involves tax breaks and cheaper credit for producers, who have struggled, particularly since 2008, with high indebtedness that has reduced their investment capacity and led to lower production, and consequentially higher prices. Government subsidies since 2008 for gasoline distribution further hindered the ethanol…

Many of the key trends in Latin America, such as the growth of consumerism (thanks, in part, to a greater availability of credit) are consistent with a strong expansion in business for regional airlines. In fact, the airlines face a number of challenges. In theory, Latin America should be one of the most exciting markets for civil aviation globally. Thanks to sound economic policies, lower inflation and interest rates, balanced growth resulting from higher commodity prices and domestic demand, the number of households that can afford to fly continues to increase steadily. The metropolitan economies of the region are both…