Brazil and France entered a formal strategic alliance in 2008.[2][3] France supports Brazil's ambition to become a global player on the international scene,[4] and has been a strong supporter of the Brazilian bid for a permanent seat on the United Nations Security Council.[1] Through significant technology transfers, France intends to help Brazil acquire key technologies of a major world power in the military, space, energy and technology sectors.[4]
According to a 2013 BBC World Service Poll, 54% of French people view Brazil's influence positively, with 32% expressing a negative view, while 50% of Brazilians view France's influence positively, with 19% expressing a negative view.[5]
French president Emmanuel Macron visits Brazil following an invitation by Brazilian President Lula.[8]
In 2019, Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro commented that he would only accept $20 million in G7 aid to fight the Amazon rainforest wildfires if French President Emmanuel Macron retracted criticisms which he found offensive, accusing Macron of a "colonialist mentality".[9]
After a period of relative isolation and neglect under Bolsonaro, Brazil re-engaged in parterships with France under President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, notably in green policies and defense projects such as the extension of the Franco-Brazilian Submarine Development Program.[10][11][12]
Trade relations
Brazil is France's leading trade partner in Latin America and its fourth most important partner outside OECD. Over 500 French companies are established directly in Brazil and employ over 250,000 people.[13] Total trade between the two countries surpassed $6.5 billion dollars in 2009.[6]
Brazil is France's leading partner in Latin America for cultural, scientific, and technical cooperation. Three French secondary schools (Brasília, Rio, and São Paulo) have a total of 2,150 students; 1,000 of whom are French. The Alliances françaises in Brazil constitute the oldest and most extensive in the world (74 establishments in 52 cities).[14] Brazil, through its past and present connections to France, is eligible for membership with the Organisation internationale de la Francophonie. Both countries also share the distinction of being the largest Roman Catholic-majority countries by population on their respective continents.
Cross-border cooperation
The Oyapock River Bridge
Brazil and France share a 730 km border between the state of Amapá and the overseas department of French Guiana.[15] The cross-border cooperation between the two countries has enjoyed increased vitality. This cooperation makes it possible to better integrate French Guiana into its geographical environment, to respond to the concerns of both parties about the various cross-border risks, to encourage human exchanges and trade and to develop the economy of the Amazon region, respecting the local populations and extraordinary environment. The granting to France, on the initiative of Brazil, of observer status within the Amazon Cooperation Treaty Organization, will strengthen this cooperation. The construction of the Oyapock River Bridge over the Oyapock River, decided during President Lula’s visit to France, made the Cayenne-Macapá road link possible.[16] The bridge was opened in 2017.
Military cooperation
Defence cooperation has undergone major developments in recent years. On July 15, 2005, Brazil and France signed several military cooperation agreements in areas such as aviation and advanced military technologies.[17][18] On 2008, the two countries entered a Status of Forces Agreement.[19] On 23 December 2008, Brazil and France established a formal strategic alliance.[2]
In September 2009, the two countries announced a joint venture between Agrale and Renault Trucks to produce military transport vehicles.[23]
In late 2019, it was reported that, under then-president Jair Bolsonaro, the Brazilian military viewed France as its biggest potential threat due to disputes over the Amazon rainforest.[24]
Transportation
There are direct flights between Brazil and France with the following airlines: Air France, LATAM Brasil and Azul. A road connects the French city of Cayenne to Macapá in Brazil, via. a bridge over the Oyapock River, which is known as the N2 in French Guiana, and BR-156 in Brazil.
When the Brazilian navy moved to intercept French lobster fisherman off the coast of the state of Pernambuco in 1961, the French Navy deployed vessels in response. This is considered a bloodless war as no casualties occurred nor violence.
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