BRAZIL, ARGENTINA WILL TAKE ‘DIFFERENT DIRECTION’ TO PREVIOUS GOVERNMENTS, DECLARES BOLSONARO

Brazil’s new president, Jair Bolsonaro, told President Mauricio Macri this week that their two nations would “walk together in different directions than those of the last governments,” as he assumed office in Argentina’s giant neighbour.

Macri – who did not attend the farright leader’s inauguration in Brasilia on New Year’s Day, sending Foreign Minister Jorge Faurie in his stead – posted a message to Bolsonaro on Twitter, in which he expressed his desire to work together for the good of their two countries.

The Argentine leader, who is on vacation with his wife and daughter in Patagonia, said: “I want to send my best wishes to Jair Bolsonaro on the day he becomes president of Brazil, our friend and brother nation. I trust that our governments will continue to collaborate for the prosperity of both our peoples.”

Bolsonaro, now the leader of Argentina’s biggest trading partner, responded a day later: “Thank you for your words,president.WithoutadoubtBrazil and Argentina are going to walk together in different directions than those of the last governments. A big hug!”

The two leaders have a bilateral meeting scheduled for January 16 in Brasilia, where they are expected to discuss trade, the future of the Mercosur bloc and how to tackle the economic and humanitarian crisis in Venezuela.

So far, the omens do not look good. For his first visit overseas as president, Bolsonaro has chosen to travel to Chile, rebuffing the usual tradition of new Brazilian leaders visiting Argentina. Also, back in October, incoming Finance Minister Paulo Guedes said “Argentina is not a priority, neither is the Mercosur,” though he later backtracked on his comments.