The United States will designate Brazil as its main ally, not part of the NATO military alliance. This is stated in a joint statement by US President Donald Trump and Brazilian President Jair Bolsonar.
“President Trump announced the intention of the United States to appoint Brazil as a major non-NATO ally,” the White House said in a statement.
US national security adviser John Bolton later confirmed the appointment of Brazil and added that bilateral cooperation will focus on Venezuela, Iran and China.
“We are proud that Brazil is a major non-NATO ally, and we look forward to working with them on Venezuela, Iran and China,” said Bolton in a Twitter message.
Earlier in the day, Trump said the United States would “very strongly” look at the possibility of Brazil becoming a member of NATO or potentially joining any other alliance.
Trump also said he would support Brazil’s efforts to join the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD).
During the official visit to the White House, Bolsonara and Trump discussed a wide range of issues, including trade, defense and space cooperation, as well as the situation in Venezuela.
The meeting of the American and Brazilian leaders and Trump’s objection about granting NATO member status to Brazil was commented by Alexey Pushkov, chairman of the Federation Council’s information policy committee.
“It’s then not NATO, but NSATO (North & South Atlantic Treaty Organization). And they will have to deal with the “export of democracy” in Latin America. But is it possible? ”, – wrote the senator on Twitter.