A Path to Reconnection, Opportunities and Challenges in Brazil-U.S. Relations

Alexandre Piquet - Founder and Managing Partner, Piquet Law Firm

The relationship between Brazil and the United States has always moved in cycles. Over the past decades, these two countries, although guided by distinct political, economic, and cultural models, have consistently found common ground in strategic areas such as trade, defense, innovation, and investment. The current global context, while challenging, is no exception, but rather another chapter in this dynamic realignment process.

Since Donald Trump’s election in 2024, we have witnessed a transitional moment in bilateral relations, with less emphasis on traditional diplomatic channels and an apparent reduction in direct institutional dialogue. Even so, it is important to remember that the ties between Brazil and the United States are broader and more resilient than any change in government, whether in Washington or Brasília.

Historically, the two economies complement each other, with Brazil offering natural resources, human capital, and a robust domestic market, while the U.S. brings capital, technology, and a mature business ecosystem, making it especially attractive for Brazilian companies aiming to scale globally. Just look at the success of numerous Brazilian multinationals operating in the U.S., in sectors such as food, logistics, financial services, aviation, and construction, which continue to grow even amid political shifts.

Likewise, the U.S. remains the top destination for Brazilian capital abroad, both in business ventures and qualified immigration. Brazilian entrepreneurs, professionals, and investors continue to pursue opportunities in the U.S., whether through work visas, investment programs, real estate purchases, or company expansions.

Despite occasional ideological divergences between governments, the relationship between the two countries remains rooted in long-term structural interests, and it is precisely here that optimism lies. Bilateral chambers of commerce, for example, the BACCF, Brazilian-American Chamber of Commerce of Florida, in which I served as president for three consecutive terms, along with technical and economic cooperation treaties, trade facilitation protocols, and educational exchanges, remain strong pillars, regardless of political nuances.

It is also worth highlighting the growing role of the private sector in sustaining these ties. The presence of Brazilian businesses in the U.S., international business events, innovation hubs, and partnerships with universities and research centers create a web of interdependence that continues to strengthen the bilateral relationship in an organic, decentralized way.

We are, indeed, entering a new cycle, but not necessarily a rupture. This transition may be viewed as a strategic repositioning, not a permanent distancing. The international landscape is more complex, with the rise of new global powers, shifting alliances, and increased competition for influence, but the U.S. remains a hub of legal stability, economic predictability, and opportunity for those looking to innovate and build.

For Brazilian entrepreneurs seeking to live, invest, or work in the United States, this is a time that calls for preparation, strategy, and long-term vision, but it is far from a time to retreat. On the contrary, it represents a window of opportunity for those who understand that diplomatic movements do not always reflect, in the short term, the underlying economic fundamentals and the connections that, quietly, continue to solidify in the real world of business.

As an attorney with nearly three decades of experience at the intersection of Brazil and the United States, I can confidently say that opportunities continue to exist for those who pursue them with integrity, planning, and a global mindset. Political cycles come and go. Strong economic relationships, built on trust, transparency, and professionalism, remain.