Bolsonaro 'transformative' for US-Brazil ties: Pompeo

The United States said Wednesday it is on the brink of a "transformative" relationship with Brazil thanks to new far-right President Jair Bolsonaro, who has embraced Donald Trump's values and vision as he takes charge of Latin America's biggest nation.

In a meeting with US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo in Brasilia, Bolsonaro said the tendency for Brazil "to elect presidents that for some reason were enemies" of the US was over and now, "it is just the opposite: we are friends."

Pompeo responded that Trump "is very pleased with the relationship that our two countries are on the precipice of beginning to develop."

Pompeo also told new Brazilian Foreign Minister Ernesto Araujo that the affinity between Trump and Bolsonaro "creates a truly transformative opportunity for our two nations," especially in terms of economic and security cooperation.

The glowing mutual appraisals came a day after Bolsonaro was sworn in as Brazil's new leader for the next four years.

The 63-year-old former army captain -- an avid user of social media and avowed enemy of "political correctness" who has a record of making misogynist and racist comments -- used his first presidential speech to pledge a fierce combat against crime, corruption and left-wing "ideology."

His ascension marks Brazil's most dramatic lunge to the right since democracy was restored in 1985 following nearly 20 years of a military dictatorship that Bolsonaro served and has evoked nostalgically for the "order" it brought.

- 'Captain to captain' -

Bolsonaro has particularly railed against the leftist Workers Party, which ruled Brazil between 2003 and 2016 but which is reviled for a string of corruption scandals.

In his meeting with Pompeo, Bolsonaro said he "would very much like to increasingly make up for" the distance Brazil had kept from the United States in the past.

Referring to Pompeo's army rank of captain when he served from 1986-1991, Bolsonaro added: "I'm saying this as captain -- two captains -- from captain to captain, so we stand together."

Pompeo, who represented the US at Bolsonaro's inauguration, emphasized the "set of shared values" that should enhance ties.

Also among the dignitaries at the inauguration were Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu -- who spoke of his own "brotherhood" with Bolsonaro -- and nationalist Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban.

While Brazil previously carved out an independent foreign policy under which it sought to be on friendly terms with all governments, the shift in alliances and geopolitical and economic strategy under Bolsonaro could carry significant implications.

Venezuela's Socialist government headed by President Nicolas Maduro in particular could feel squeezed between the sanctions-wielding US and an assertive Brazil.

Brazil is already one of the main host nations for Venezuelans fleeing the economic collapse at home. It is also a major Latin American oil exporter, like Venezuela.

Bolsonaro has promised to do all he can to challenge the governments of Venezuela and Cuba, drawing him closer to Washington's stance.

- Economic opportunities -

China's position as Brazil's biggest trade partner and foreign investor could also be affected.

While campaigning for the presidency, Bolsonaro complained that China was "buying Brazil" and suggested he move to restrict the Asian powerhouse's access to privatizations he is planning.

Pompeo, in his meeting with Araujo, did not mention China by name, but clearly pointed to that country as he contrasted the fresh opportunities the US could now bring to Brazil.

Trump, he said, is seeking "real opportunity, that is fair, that is reciprocal, that is conducted transparently -- not the same model that is used by some other countries in the world... others who want to come to a country and make an investment not for commercial reasons but for political reasons."

China Daily, a state-owned newspaper that publicizes Beijing's messages, issued an editorial on Wednesday stressing China's imports of Brazilian soybean and iron ore and saying: "China has never been the source of problems that Brazil faces today, but rather it stands ready to help provide solutions to those problems."

But Nikki Haley, former US ambassador to the UN, tweeted: "It's great to have another US-friendly leader in South America, who will join the fights against dictatorships in Venezuela and Cuba, and who clearly understands the danger of China's expanding influence in the region."

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