Denise Chrispim Marin

US-China trade tensions benefit Latin America's commodities and exports.

Chinese state company's purchase of Chilean lithium-maker would create one company with control of 70% of the world's lithium supply.

Following the Trump administration’s launch of tariffs on steel and aluminum, the director-general of the World Trade Organization (WTO), Roberto Azevêdo, spoke again with Global Finance, about the global body’s role and the expanding trade tiffs that could set off another worldwide economic collapse.   

The head of the world’s largest economic cooperation organization speaks one-on-one with Global Finance about the pace of international trade—and the risks that confront it.

To get around sanctions, Venezuelan president Nicolas Maduro is issuing an oil-and-reserves-backed cryptocurrency. If it succeeds, the ICO should provide the government with access to $6 billion. But cryptos are dicey. 

Just two of several programs over the past two years have attracted $45 million from local and foreign private inerests and created at least 8,000 jobs.

Turning old violent areas into competitive coffee producers still faces some obstacles.

Meirelles has fed his political ambitions since vacating his position as president of global banking at FleetBoston Financial in 2002, when he retired and returned to the state of Goiás, his homeland. 

Brazil's healthy food and drinks market, now the sixth biggest in the world, is becoming a magnet for global food giants like Nestle and Unilever.

The country recorded a GDP growth of 2.7% for the second quarter of  2017 after almost two years of negative growth. 

With the state-owned National Bank for Economic and Social Development ending its subsidized credit lending practice in Brazil,  state and private retail banks will have to step in to support the long-term credit market unlike at present.

With a growing budget deficit, Brazil is struggling to climb out of recession and become globally competitive.

Peru is expected to invest $1.5 billion in infrastructure for the games, including sporting facilities required by the International Olympic Committee (IOC) and at least 16 projects to improve chaotic traffic in the capital.

Chile expects lithium based  “white petroleum” industry to attract $10 billion in investment and generate 10,000 new jobs.

Encouraged by its successful bond sale in June, Argentina is planning another bond offer. But some experts are cautious ahead of October's midterm election.

Recent scandals and tragedies involving Brazilian companies, banks and public-sector agencies are turning into an opportunity for public-relations firms.

El Nino storms have caused Peru more than $12 billion in damage, and are expected to shave a full percentage point off the country’s GDP this year.

Famously fit Fabio Schvartsman faces environmnetal, financial and market challenges as newly appointed CEO of Brazilian iron-ore maker Vale.  

Brazil’s administration faces an approval rating of only 10.3% and the unpredictable course of corruption investigations. But president Michel Temer still has a major opportunity to get Congress this year to approve his ambitious and unpopular austerity reforms of social security, labor laws, and the opening of rural land and domestic airline sectors to foreign investors.

New mayor of São Paolo João Doria, a businessman, plans to sell the racing circuit of Interlagos and the operation of Pacaembu soccer stadium.

Foreign-currency bonds offer Argentina needed resources but come with heavy risks.

Latin American nations seeking fiscal fixes encounter a wide variety of factors beyond their control.

Brazil | Despite the optimistic expectations in 2009, when Rio de Janeiro was chosen to host the 2016 Summer Olympic Games, the competition in August is not likely to show Brazil in the best light.

Brazil
Well known for his caution, Brazil Finance Minister Henrique Meirelles is well aware of the enormity of his nation’s fiscal hole. Brazil is likely to report a primary deficit of $36 billion this year, instead of the $6.8 billion surplus previously forecast.

Milestones | Brazil
In this time of recession, Brazil’s economy is becoming more agribusiness-oriented. The sector generated 23% of Brazilian GDP last year, after 21.4% in 2014, and accounted for 46.3% of total exports.

Brazil: The Banco Central do Brasil gave new Finance minister Nelson Barbosa a bit of help on January 20, when it decided to hold the short-term interest rate, the Selic, to 14.25%.

The axe fell on Brazil heading into 2016 as it suffered a downgrade to junk status by Fitch Ratings, heightening the air of crisis as the beleaguered nation grapples with political turmoil and recession.

Corporate Governance | Management
Selling the assets could improve BTG’s net worth by 20 billion reais ($5 billion). 

Trends | Taxation
Brazil is well known in the global business sector for its tax complexity, heavy tax burden (around 35% of GDP) and high use of technology for tax collection. Not for nothing do Brazilians call their tax authority—Receita Federal do Brasil—“the Lion.”