Trade liberalization is a key component of Brazil’s reform agenda, and Minister Paulo Guedes promised new impetus in various fronts, including, possibly, unilateral tariff reductions. How existing trade terms will be revised, and how that will impact Brazil’s economic future is open for analysis.

The chamber hosted a panel discussion to explore a range of trade related issues. Gabriel Sanchez of the IDB highlighted existing trade agreements and how they could affect negotiations of new agreements. Hussein Kalout considered how current trade policies has shaped the Brazilian economy and what could change with liberalization. Dan Ioschpe, Chairman of the Board of Iochpe-Maxion, reviewed the practical effects on exports and imports of existing trade agreements, and what the impact of any revisions might be. Laura Siegel Rabinowitz of Kelley Drye provided an update on the proposed Brazil-U.S. free trade agreement.

Moderator:
Claudio Irigoyen, Managing Director, Bank of America Merrill Lynch

Speakers:
Gabriel Sanchez, Principal Economic Specialist, Inter-American Development Bank

Hussein Kalout, Research Scholar at Harvard University and Former Special Secretary for Strategic Affairs of Brazil

Dan Ioschpe, Chairman of the Board, Iochpe-Maxion

Laura Siegel Rabinowitz, Special Counsel, Kelley Drye