MercoPress. South Atlantic News Agency

Obama promises Brazil will be treated the same way as China and India

The future has arrived for Brazil, said the US President

Addressing the Brazilian Industry Federation, in Brasilia President Barack Obama emphasized the possibilities for partnership between the two countries mentioning trade, energy, infrastructure and education. The US leader said that “the future has arrived in Brazil” and promised the US would deal with the country in the same way it does with China and India.

Obama started by saying that being in Brazil was a great joy, and thanking his hosts on behalf of his wife Michelle and family for the warm welcome they received.

The US president said it was a pity that he had to come only days after the Carnival but: “my only regret is that we missed the party by coming a few weeks after Carnival. Maybe that's the best -- since I'm not sure I would have had the same level of productivity from my staff”.

Obama pointed out that in the last two centuries, there was never such a promising moment for Brazil, and pointed out that the country is now the seventh largest economy worldwide and achieved stability in the last few years.

“So what has been accomplished here in Brazil is nothing short of remarkable”, said Obama to the audience of businessmen. “It's often been said that Brazil is a country for the future. Well, that future has now arrived”.

Among the areas for partnership between the two countries, Obama mentioned bilateral trade, which would create jobs in both countries. “So there is no question that the United States and Brazil benefit from the economic ties we've developed over the years”.

To make this partnership even better, Obama said that he and President Rousseff would establish a new dialogue making possible that the US deals with Brazil in the same way that it deals with China and India. That statement was received with a loud ovation by the audience.

Obama also spoke about energy. “The oil you recently discovered off the shores of Brazil could amount to twice the reserves we have in the United States”, he said, adding that the US want to help Brazil with the technology needed to extract it and, when Brazil is ready to begin selling the commodity, “we want to be one of your best customers”.

Obama also said that the two countries are expanding their cooperation on bio fuels.

Another point dealt with by Obama was infrastructure. He mentioned the World Soccer Cup of 2014, to be hosted by Brazil -“the only nation that's a five-time champion -- although the US is getting better, you have to admit. We're getting better”- and the 2016 Summer Olympics. And, although claiming to be sad for Rio having defeated his hometown Chicago, he said that his country does not want to just watch from the stands.

“US companies stand ready to help you meet this challenge”, for instance in the engineering and construction fields.

On Sunday in Rio do Janeiro after a quick talk with the directors of Flamengo soccer club Obama will visit the Christ the Redeemer statue, one of Rio de Janeiro landmarks.

Later, he will visit the Cidade de Deus favela (shanty town) in western Rio where a neighbours’ pacification and drugs cleansing operation is under implementation. Obama is scheduled to meet state officials for a luncheon and then will head for the Municipal Theatre for a speech.