Supervisor

The Federative Republic of Brazil is Latin America's largest economy. With 3,290,000 square miles, bordering 10 other countries and with 4,650 miles of coastline, Brazil is the largest country in Latin America and fifth largest in the world. Brazil’s 2014 Gross Domestic Product (GDP) of US$2.3 trillion ranks Brazil as the world’s seventh-largest economy. Annual growth during 2014 dropped to 0.1% due to reduced demand for Brazilian exports in Europe and Asia and modest consumer demand from Brazil’s large middle class.

During the past two decades, the country has prioritized macroeconomic policies that control inflation and promote economic growth. Recently, inflation has increased, reaching 8.47% in May 2015. Urban unemployment was at 6.4% in April 2015, increasing from 4.9% in mid-2014; and wages continue to increase. Brazil’s Central Bank has been steadily raising interest rates to combat inflation, from a historic low of 7.25% in October 2012 to 13.75%.

In 2014, the U.S. was the second largest exporter to Brazil, accounting for 15% of Brazil’s total imported goods; behind China and followed by Argentina, Germany, and Nigeria. In 2014, Brazil imported over US$229 billion of total goods, including US$42.4 billion from the U.S. – a 3.7% decrease from 2013. Brazil ranked as the United States' ninth-largest export market for goods in 2014. Brazil is also a large market for U.S. services, accounting for an additional $28 billion in exports in 2014. The United States maintains a trade surplus in services that has increased over the past decade, reaching $17 billion in 2012, before dropping to $11.9 billion in 2014.

Brazil represents an excellent export partner for experienced U.S. exporters. Major reasons to export to Brazil include:

* Brazil’s population of 202 million is the fifth largest in the world, representing nearly 3 percent of global consumers.

* At the same time, Brazil has the highest per capita income of any of the BRICS, with more than half...