In Response to Trump’s Tariffs, Mexico and Brazil Sign Agreements to Strengthen Cooperation

During his official visit to Mexico, Brazilian Vice President Geraldo Alckmin on Wednesday celebrated the signing of two bilateral cooperation agreements, which are expected to open new opportunities in economic, scientific, environmental, and technological fields. Mexican officials, including Foreign Minister Juan Ramón de la Fuente, attended the event held at the headquarters of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

A Declaration of Intent on biofuels was the first agreement signed, endorsed by Mexico’s Secretary of Energy, Luz Elena González Escobar, and Vice President Alckmin.

The document aims to promote cooperation in the production, use, regulation, and certification of biofuels, drawing on Brazil’s five decades of experience in developing biodiesel, bioethanol, and sustainable fuels for aviation (SAF) and maritime transport.

At the same event, Jorge Viana, head of the Brazilian Trade and Investment Promotion Agency (Apex), and Luis Rosendo Gutiérrez Romano, Mexico’s Undersecretary of Foreign Trade, signed a memorandum of understanding. The accord seeks to enhance the international competitiveness of companies from both countries and strengthen institutional capacities.

Raquel Serur Smeke, Mexico’s Undersecretary for Latin America and the Caribbean, stressed that these agreements reflect the desire of both nations to continue a strategic partnership and a productive dialogue. She emphasized that joint efforts in biofuels represent a concrete step toward sustainable development and technology transfer.

Business leaders and officials agreed that the current global context, marked by trade tensions with the United States, presents an exceptional opportunity to boost bilateral ties. “We want to buy more from Mexico and for Mexico to also buy more from Brazil,” Alckmin said before an audience of 350 business representatives from both nations.

Foreign Minister De la Fuente underscored that Brazil and Mexico, as Latin America’s two largest countries, should view one another as complementary partners in order to reinforce their global presence. Alckmin noted that trade between the two countries already exceeds 14 billion dollars and expressed hope that the figure “will grow even further,” with particular focus on defense, aerospace, and health.

Viana concluded that there is currently “an extraordinary synergy” between Brazil and Mexico, ready to be harnessed for mutual benefit.