Flavio Bolsonaro Says Balancing US and China Trade Crucial If He Wins Runoff
Flavio Bolsonaro told voters he will not pick sides, insisting a future presidency must balance Brazil’s trade ties with both the United States and China.
As Brazil heads toward an October 25 runoff, candidate Flavio Bolsonaro asserted he will govern without favoring either the United States or China, focusing on the Brazilian people. Senator Tereza Cristina, former agriculture minister, highlighted that China purchases the bulk of Brazil’s farm products, whereas the US is the top overall destination for exports, forcing a delicate balance. Bolsonaro, a Liberal Party senator, reiterated his intent to work with Washington and Beijing, citing security cooperation with the Trump administration and participation in the Shield of the Americas.
He also voiced interest in revising Brazil’s BRICS membership and loosening Mercosur rules to secure a bilateral US deal, though China accounts for $77.1 bn of exports compared with $24.1 bn to the US. Analysts warn that any shift toward the US would be constrained by Brazil’s heavy reliance on Chinese markets.
Why it matters
The election will determine Brazil’s trade and security orientation between the US and China.
How this story developed
- Oct 4 Portugal sees alcohol dependence surge while Brazil heads to tightly contested election
- Oct 4 First round of voting produced no candidate with over 50%, making a runoff likely.
- Oct 5 First‑round results show Flávio Bolsonaro ahead with 47.1% and Lula at 45%, triggering a runoff on Oct 25.
- Oct 5 Senator Flavio Bolsonaro said the recent vote gave the right a dominant majority in Brazil's Senate and Chamber of Deputies.
- Oct 6 Flavio Bolsonaro secured a first‑round victory, making him the runoff frontrunner.
- Oct 9 Augusto Cury announced he will vote for Bolsonaro in the runoff.
- Oct 10 Former Minas Gerais governor Romeu Zema and former President Michel Temer publicly endorsed Flavio Bolsonaro.
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