U.S. Chamber’s Brazil-U.S. Business Council Applauds Launch of Energy Dialogue

WASHINGTON, D.C. –The U.S. Chamber of Commerce's Brazil-U.S. Business Council is in Brazil this week, accompanying Deputy Secretary of Energy Daniel Poneman for private sector meetings in preparation for the launch of the U.S.-Brazil Strategic Energy Dialogue (SED) today in Brasilía. The SED was announced in March 2011 by Presidents Obama and Rousseff as one of three new Presidential-level dialogues between Brazil and the United States focusing on energy, economic and financial issues, and foreign policy.

“We commend both administrations for their work on the Strategic Energy Dialogue as it continues to advance the priorities established during President Obama’s trip to Brazil last March,” said Steven Bipes, executive director, Brazil-U.S. Business Council. “The Brazil-U.S. Business Council applauds the administration’s demonstration of continued commitment to the bilateral relationship through the SED. This effort builds upon a strong and strategic relationship in the hemisphere, and places Brazil on par with China and India.”

Meetings will be held in São Paulo, Rio de Janeiro, and Brasilía, and will include Petrobras, Eletrobras, key Brazilian energy-related business associations, and high-level ministries within the Brazilian government. For these meetings and the ensuing dialogue, the Brazil-U.S. Business Council will call on both governments to address elimination of the ethanol subsidy and tariff and to pave the way for signing a Civil Nuclear Agreement during the next meeting of the presidents.

"The Brazil-U.S. Business Council believes eliminating the import tariff on ethanol and blenders tax credit is consistent with U.S. energy needs and the stated goals of diversifying the U.S. energy matrix; with U.S. tax and fiscal policy given our severe budget limitations; with U.S. trade policy by eliminating market distorting and unnecessary barriers to trade; and with U.S. foreign policy,” said Bipes. “Furthermore, the Brazil Council encourages the Rousseff administration to work with the Brazilian Congress to provide for more flexibility for U.S. companies regarding exclusivity rights for pre-salt operations and on local content requirements.”

The Brazil-U.S. Business Council (BUSBC) is the premier business advocacy organization dedicated to strengthening the economic and commercial relationship between the two countries. The U.S. Section of the BUSBC represents major U.S. companies invested in Brazil and operates under the administrative aegis of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce. The Brazil Section of the BUSBC is managed by the Brazilian National Confederation of Industry in Brasília, Brazil.

The U.S. Chamber of Commerce is the world’s largest business federation representing the interests of more than 3 million businesses of all sizes, sectors, and regions, as well as state and local chambers and industry associations.

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