The Department of Commerce (DOC) announced Thursday that Deputy Secretary of Commerce Don Graves concluded his first visit to Brazil.
During the trip from May 15 - 19, Graves advanced the largest trade mission to South America since the COVID-19 pandemic, according to a DOC press release. Graves met with Brazilian government officials and private sector leaders.
“This trip to Brazil exemplifies the importance that the U.S. government, the Biden-Harris administration, and especially all of us at the Department of Commerce, place on the U.S.-Brazil economic and commercial relationship,” Graves said in the release.
Graves led 67 American companies to the start of the 2022 South America Trade Mission, the release stated. In Sao Paulo, where the mission took place, Graves mediated dialogue between industry leaders and talked about the advancement of a global infrastructure initiative, a priority of the Biden administration.
“I appreciated the opportunity to support U.S. exporters, hear from my Brazilian counterparts, and engage with the business community,” Graves said. “Over the course of this trip, I’ve gathered a lot of valuable input on what Commerce can do to strengthen ties and take our commercial relationship to new heights.”
In Brasilia, Graves discussed trade facilitation progress, regulatory practices, and implementing the Agreement on Trade and Economic Cooperation Protocol before the next U.S.-Brazil Commercial Dialogue in July, according to the release.
