Brazilian foreign policy faces new challenges

Subject

Brazilian foreign policy under Aloysio Nunes.

Significance

Senator Aloysio Nunes, who took office as foreign minister on March 7, is an experienced politician from the centre-right Social Democrats (PSDB). He led the bloc supporting the government of President Michel Temer in the Senate, where he was also since 2015 head of the Commission of Foreign Affairs and National Defence. Nunes replaces Jose Serra at the foreign ministry and will seek overall continuity of Serra's agenda focused on the pursuit of trade opening and border security.

Impacts

• Brazil lacks a clear strategy for its crucial relationship with China.
• Border security, a key issue for Serra, will remain important for Nunes.
• Domestic politics may divert Nunes’s attention as the 2018 elections approach.