‘Trump of the Tropics’ Bolsonaro visits W.H.
WASHINGTON >> President Donald Trump said on Tuesday that he will work to designate Brazil a “major non-NATO ally” — and maybe even full NATO membership —as he welcomed the country’s new Trumpfriendly far-right leader to the White House. That’s despite the fact that Brazil doesn’t qualify to join the North Atlantic alliance.
Jair Bolsonaro, who’s been described as the “Trump of the Tropics,” ran on an unabashedly pro-American platform, emulating Trump in tone and in style. It’s a position that seemed to pay off for the leader on his first official trip to Washington.
As they sat down for the first time, Trump praised Bolsonaro, saying he’d done “a very outstanding job” so far and hailed his run as “one of the incredible campaigns.” Trump said he was “honored” Bolsonaro’s campaign had drawn comparisons with his own 2016 victory. And he predicted the two would have a “fantastic working relationship,” telling reporters at a joint press conference that they have “many views” in common. The two also exchanged soccer jerseys in a sign of friendship.
Bolsonaro has made clear he wants to strengthen military and economic ties with the U.S., and Trump appeared eager to deliver, announcing that he would back Brazil’s effort’s to join the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development.
Trump also told reporters he intends to designate Brazil as “a major non-NATO ally” or “even, possibly, if you start thinking about it, maybe a NATO ally,” though he said he’d “have to talk to a lot of people” for Brazil to join the organization.
Brazil, the largest and most populous nation in Latin America, has pursued becoming a non-NATO ally to make it easier to buy U.S. weapons and lower barriers for military and other cooperation.
But James Stavridis, a retired Navy admiral who was the Supreme Allied Commander at NATO from 2009 to 2013, said Brazil does not qualify for full membership under the North Atlantic Treaty of 1949.