RIO DE JANEIRO, BRAZIL – Despite the Democrat Joe Biden‘s current favoritism in the U.S. election, President Jair Bolsonaro reiterated on Tuesday, October 20th, that he is rooting for Donald Trump‘s re-election and said he hopes to be at the inauguration ceremony for a possible second term.
“I hope, if it is God’s will, to attend the inauguration of President [Trump] soon to be reelected in the United States. I don’t need to hide it, it comes from the heart,” said Bolsonaro, in the last event in Brazil of the U.S. government’s delegation led by national security advisor Robert O’Brien.
“I will not interfere, but it comes from the heart. For the respect, the work, and the concern he had for us, I express it this way at this time,” he added.
O’Brien led a mission to Brazil to mark the signing of a trade package between the two countries, announced on Monday. However, the main purpose of the visit was to pressure Brazilian authorities to raise obstacles to the involvement of Chinese company Huawei in the future 5G market.
In a gesture to honor the Americans’ visit, Bolsonaro broke protocol and personally attended the Itamaraty Palace event originally planned to be held only between Foreign Minister Ernesto Araújo and O’Brien.
Minister of Economy Paulo Guedes was also called to attend at the last minute to sign an agreement with Exim Bank (U.S. Export and Import Bank) to finance American exports to Brazil.
In his address, the Brazilian President praised Trump further: “From the first contact a feeling of cooperation was born between us, of striving for the good of our countries; of wiping away what was not done correctly by those who preceded us regarding the appropriate representation that our countries deserve.”
The United States election, which will be held on November 3rd, is still open, but Biden is ahead in the polls. He also leads over Trump in key states which in the U.S. electoral system should decide the election.
A confessed admirer of Trump, Bolsonaro has already been advised by aides to moderate demonstrations of support for the current president’s re-election, on the grounds that Biden, if elected president, could place extra pressure on Brazil.
Biden has already criticized the Bolsonaro government’s environmental policy and analysts anticipate a troubled relationship with the Brazilian President should Biden make it to the White House. Biden is expected to be pressured to demand results from Brazil in light of increased deforestation.
Source: Folhapress