Yesterday, the U.S. Chamber and the Brazil-U.S. Business Council co-hosted a press conference to brief media on issues discussed during the 4th U.S.-Brazil CEO Forum meeting, which took place on July 20/21 here in Washington, DC.

As noted by the Commerce Department, "The Forum, made up of 20 CEOs from the United States and Brazil, meets twice a year to make recommendations to the two governments on ways to strengthen the U.S.-Brazil economic relationship." The Chamber, through the Brazil-U.S. Business Council, strongly supports the CEO Forum. All issues identified as priorities by the Forum are an integral part of the council's program of work, and seven out of the ten Forum companies are also Brazil Council members.

Participating in yesterday’s press conference were Gary Locke, Secretary, U.S. Department of Commerce; Michael Froman, Deputy Assistant to the President & Deputy National Security Advisor for International Economic Affairs, National Security Council; Dilma Rousseff, Chief of Staff, Executive Office of the President; Miguel Jorge, Minister, Ministry of Development, Industry and Foreign Trade; Tim Solso, Chairman and CEO, Cummins, Inc., and Josué Christiano Gomes da Silva, Chairman and CEO, Coteminas S.A. The conference was moderated by Myron Brilliant, Senior Vice President for International Affairs here at the Chamber.

This week’s gathering was described by participants as the best meeting the Forum has had so far due to the maturity level the group has achieved. Forum members had an opportunity to share with President Obama their views on the importance of the Brazil-U.S. relationship and the role the CEO Forum can play to advance important issues on the bilateral agenda. President Obama mentioned to the group his administration is committed to working with Brazil to strengthen commercial and political ties among the two countries. Since President Obama took office in February, he has already met with President Lula four times.

Among the recommendations provided by the CEOs to Brazilian and U.S. governments are the negotiation of a bilateral tax treaty and a bilateral investment treaty, the implementation of customs facilitation measures, establishment of partnerships in the areas of energy and infrastructure. The Forum also supports the conclusion of the Doha Round and the Brazil-U.S. cooperation to promote economic development in Africa.

The Chamber and the Brazil-U.S. Business Council will continue to lend support to the Forum to ensure its recommendations are implemented.