Brazil opts out of China’s over-ambitious Belt and Road Initiative (BRI)

Project earlier opposed India, Philippines and Italy

Brasilia (Brazil) – In a significant move, Brazil has declined to participate in China’s ambitious Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), becoming the second BRICS member nation after India to oppose the project. Celso Amorim, Chief Adviser on international affairs to Brazilian President Lula da Silva, stated that Brazil seeks alternative avenues to collaborate with Chinese investors rather than joining the BRI.

Brazil 🇧🇷 Joins India, Philippines 🇵🇭 & Italy 🇮🇹 in Rejecting #China‘s BRI Project! 🚫🌎

Why?
🤝 Maintaining good relations with the US
🚨 Avoiding Chinese debt trap
🌎 Global concerns over 🇨🇳 China’s self-centered nature

India’s “win-win attitude” gains global attention! 💪… pic.twitter.com/ggoeSfsFOr

— Sanatan Prabhat (@SanatanPrabhat) October 29, 2024

1. Celso Amorim added that Brazil aims to elevate its relationship with China; however, it will not enter into any binding agreements to do so.

2. Chinese President Xi Jinping is scheduled to visit Brazil on November 20th. Brazil’s decision is seen as a significant setback to his upcoming visit.

3. Several Brazilian economists and foreign affairs officials opposed Brazil’s involvement in the BRI, arguing that the project offers no short-term benefits for Brazil and could strain its relationship with the United States.

4. Prior to Brazil, both the Philippines and Italy declined participation in the BRI. Currently, only Pakistan and a few smaller African countries remain engaged in the initiative.

5. China is developing the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) under the BRI framework, a project India opposes due to its route through Pakistan-occupied Kashmir, which India views as a breach of its sovereignty.

Editorial Perspective

The selfish nature of China is now widely recognized. Countries have grown more vigilant, learning from the experiences of Sri Lanka and Pakistan, and few are willing to jeopardize their relations with the United States. This is helping India though, which has a ‘win-win’ attitude.