An international relations scholar explains why his country still needs a global order it has long criticized.
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Brazil has long relied on diplomacy, international law and multilateral institutions to protect its independence from more powerful countries. What happens when the United States, the principal architect of the so-called rules-based order, begins operating by different rules?
My guest on this weekâs podcast episode is Antonio Ramalho, a professor of international relations at the University of BrasĂlia whose public service has included positions at the Ministry of Defense. This season, Iâm bringing you perspectives from key countries on how they are adapting to the changing international system.
We begin with the latest tensions between Washington and BrasĂlia: new U.S. tariffs on Brazilian imports and accusations that the Trump administration is interfering in Brazilâs upcoming presidential election.
In late July, the government of President Luiz InĂĄcio Lula da Silva denied entry visas to two State Department political appointees, saying they intended to âcast doubt on the credibility of Brazilâs electoral system.â
Yesterday, the Trump administration said it had revoked the U.S. visa of Brazilâs ambassador to Washington, Maria Luiza Ribeiro Viotti. It accused BrasĂlia of delaying approval for Trumpâs nominee to serve as U.S. ambassador to Brazil, Daniel Perez, a Florida state lawmaker with no foreign-policy experience.
Revoking a visa doesnât necessarily require its holder to leave the United States but Viotti couldnât re-enter the country if she left. A host-government can expel a foreign diplomat by declaring that official persona non grata (PNG).
The Trump administration hasnât PNGed â in diplomatic jargon â Viotti yet and said it would reinstate her visa if Brazil granted formal approval, known as agrĂŠment, to Perez.
I spoke with Ramalho shortly before the visa revocation. He explains why Trumpâs tariffs and vocal support for Lulaâs opponent in the October election, FlĂĄvio Bolsonaro, may actually help Lula win â and how Trumpâs actions are pushing Brazilian businesses, students and tourists away from the United States.
We then turn to the larger picture. How are the Trump administrationâs actions affecting Brazil more broadly, including its politics, economy and society, and how is the country responding? What might replace the rules-based order if it doesnât survive?
As always, my guestâs opinions donât necessarily represent my own views.
Watch or listen to the episode above, or on one of these platforms: YouTube, Spotify, Apple Podcasts.
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