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The US starts threatening Brazil regarding joining BRI (www.bloomberg.com)

submitted 3 weeks ago by [email protected] to c/[email protected]

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[–] [email protected] 49 points 3 weeks ago (1 children)

Btw, China actually responded to that.

In the document it released, the Chinese embassy says that the United States is making “irresponsible” comments about the Sino-Brazilian relationship. “Recently, a high-ranking US government official who was in Brazil [...] made irresponsible comments about the Brazilian debate on cooperation related to the Belt and Road Initiative,” says the note.

“Such an act lacks respect for Brazil, a sovereign country, and disregards the fact that Sino-Brazilian cooperation is equal and mutually beneficial. For this reason, we express our strong displeasure and vehement opposition,” adds the document signed by the spokesperson for the Chinese embassy in Brazil, Shi Yong Ren.

The statement also says that Brazil “deserves to be respected” by the US because it is a “great nation” that defends its independence and has a high international profile. “Brazil does not need others to dictate who it should cooperate with or what kind of partnerships it should pursue. China has always valued and respected Brazil,” said the spokeswoman.

[–] [email protected] 28 points 3 weeks ago (1 children)

Nice! Now if only Brazil would do the same for Venezuela and Nicaragua when it comes to joining BRICS.

[–] [email protected] 13 points 3 weeks ago (1 children)

I doubt thatll happen. Even the China Brazil cooperation is just them trying to resist a global empire (USA). I dont think Brazil will see much benefit in cooperation with smaller, more geographically close by anti-imperialist powers. Especially since theyd likely seek to dominate south america in a post USA world.

[–] [email protected] 1 points 3 weeks ago (1 children)

That sort of thinking has been soundly refuted, however. Colonizing neighbors creates the revolutionary movements that will destroy the colonizer. Neocolonialism superceded colonialism and there isn't anyone that's really gearing up to go back to colonialism. Once Brazil is in BRICS, it will be difficult for her to engage in either form of regional domination as BRICS will have the power to cut them out if they do.

[–] [email protected] 5 points 3 weeks ago

I dont think you got what i meant. I mentioned them being anti imperialist as in against the US Empire. I wasnt saying Brazil would do colonialism.

Brazil is the largest nation in south america and they will dominate the region after the US empire falls. That doesnt mean theyll do colonialism. It just means nobody will be strong enough to directly go against them and theyll generally get their way in disputes, and probably act as a mediator in disputes between other regional actors. Brazilian leadership is likely aware of this and has no reason to want to help other south american countries grow their own economic forces right now despite an alignment against US imperialism. Since doing so would lead to a potentially stronger rival down the line. Especially somewhere like Venezuela which with its massive oil reserves has a ton of economic potential. Brazil will want to basically be the go to south american nation for other nations around the world to talk to if they have any interests in the region.

South America is also rather geographically isolated. This lends itself to stability in the region so long as there isnt an internal conflict between south american states. Brazil would likely seek to prevent a conflict like this by simply being too powerful for other states to try challenging them. So preventing growth in those potential rivals now is beneficial to Brazil long term.

All nation states are self interested. This does not mean they are acting in an imperialist way. Its not colonialism to be selfish. Even if colonialism is itself a selfish thing to engage in. You can see this in Chinas statement. The Brazilian and Chinese relationship is mutually beneficial. Both nations see a benefit from it. If Brazil sees no benefit for themselves in helping Venezuela they arent going to.