“I hope Brazil will become an environmental champion,” says the US ambassador.

Published 7/23/2021 06:00

Todd Crawford Chapman, US Ambassador – (Credit: US Embassy/Disclosure)

Three days after leaving for Washington and ending 30 years of diplomatic career to enter business life, the US ambassador to Brazil, Todd Crawford Chapman, greeted the press at the official residence yesterday to assess his work before acting and addressing. issues of bilateral importance. The 59-year-old diplomat arrived in Brazil on March 29, 2020. “I am leaving Brazil, but Brazil will not leave me,” he said. During his 481 days as ambassador, he visited 14 countries and met various ministers. When dealing with the environment, Chapman said this is the moment for Brazil to be not a villain, but a hero. He hopes the country will be the star of the United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP-26), which will take place from 1 to 21 November in Glasgow, the capital of Scotland. The ambassador also spoke about the controversy between electronic ballot boxes and printed voting in Brazil, showed confidence in Brazilian democracy and said he believed a coup in the 2022 elections was not at stake. He also said that it was important that the commitment to democracy be seen as non-negotiable. He pointed out that “everyone who predicted that democracy will end in Brazil so far are mistaken.” Read key excerpts from the interview.

Environment

Perhaps this is the subject on which there has been a further change of position between the Trump and Biden administrations in the area of ​​priority. Until last year, we’ve made great progress in the dialogue with the (Jair) Bolsonaro government. The environment has received an upgrade priority. It was clear to me that it was necessary to increase the importance of this area in my conversations with the government. This is exactly what I did. Last year, I worked well with ex-minister Ricardo Salles. We talk a lot about very important topics. We’ve made some strides, but it’s clear that the concern about illegal deforestation remains strong. It is important that we come up with quick solutions, to show the world the dedication of Brazil. Not only from a ministry, but from the private sector, from conservatives, from indigenous groups. This is a community project. Dialogue is flexible and stable. Me and four ambassadors (EU, Norway, Germany and UK) formed a group of friends and visited about a dozen different ministers, starting in February. It was very fruitful. Brazil is a leader in many areas. I think the electrical matrix is ​​the cleanest in the entire G-20. Renewable energy, hydropower … all this is very good. It is important to focus all efforts to reduce illegal deforestation. Brazil can and should be a world leader in this field. This is your time not to be the villain, to be the hero. All of Brazil must unite to be the champion. At COP-26, I would like to see Brazil as a big star in the movie. why? Because they are doing everything right to reduce the problem of illegal deforestation. This would be my advice to the government. I hope that Brazil will become an environmental champion. President Bolsonaro has already made important commitments. He showed much vision and courage for commitments at the Climate Summit on April 22. How to advance, by 2050, Brazil’s commitments to being a carbon-neutral country. This statement is very important. Second: No commitment to illegal deforestation by 2030. Important! Then double the budget to combat illegal deforestation.”

Threats to Brazilian democracy

Brazil’s strength lies in its commitment to democracy and the strength of its institutions. Brazil has a system similar to the United States, with legislative, executive, and judicial powers. Between these three entities there is always a tension in democracy. What is important is the continuation of constitutional democracy. We always follow democratic trends in all countries. This commitment on the part of the government, the Congress and the Federal Supreme Court to the institutions of Brazil is important. It is important that institutional democracy remains alive and strong in Brazil, and I have full confidence that this will be the reality.”

Print Vote vs Electronic Ballot Box

“In Latin America, people want to know the opinion of the United States government. If you express your opinion strongly … “Ah, but you are interfering in our internal affairs.” If you do not speak, people say: “You forgot Latin America and do not care about it.” See To my country. This shows how people invest in democracy. Nobody asks whether elections should be held or not. In some countries this is not even allowed. In this same hemisphere, there are people who put their lives at risk, because they have no privilege. Discuss what kind of jars they should use. Of course it’s complicated. Some trust one way to get elected, others trust another way you have to solve. In a democratic and open way and with its laws. Commitment to democracy is so important that it is seen as non-negotiable.”

The US reaction to the “coup” in Brazil

“To think of any possibility and predict what the United States will do, you just have to look at our history. But, in my opinion, that is not at stake. What is at stake is that you have an active, democratic and debating country. That is healthy. It is a super democratic country, with traditions Superior institutions and very strong institutions. I trust that the leadership of this country in all branches of its government are doing the right thing, which is to continue the great democratic tradition.”

Corruption in Brazil

Brazil is a well-established and democratic country. Whoever predicted that democracy would end in Brazil so far is wrong. Free press. You can write whatever you want. We are confident and expect that this situation will continue for many more decades. I remember democracy (Brazilian in the past), where there was a lot of corruption. Box 2, Petroliao, Mansalao… The great cancer in Brazil is corruption. I think we’re seeing a shift that has begun. I was here in 2013. I remember the protests. Avenida Paulista is full of people who say it has to change, that something has to change. When they tried to put party flags there… “No, no, you can’t.” It is a popular movement against this cancer in Brazil. I think this is being handled effectively. The best thing that could happen to the United States would be to have a stronger, more democratic, richer, and more just ally. When my ally is stronger and safer, the United States is stronger and safer.”

The relationship between the United States and Brazil

“Our working and cooperation atmosphere is expanding. More and more US government agencies want to establish a presence here in Brazil. Of course, with the change of our government, there has been a transitional work that has not been without difficulties, but we have succeeded. Our relationship is moving forward. We recently made an important visit that will not I’m talking about. CIA Director (William J. Burns) visited us. It was important. Minister (Fabio) Faria (Communications) went to Washington, which is also important. More visits are arriving in Brazil. I have complete confidence that this relationship It will remain very fruitful for both sides.President (Jair) Bolsonaro has shown a great interest in developing this relationship.This is something we really appreciate.If you read the messages President Bolsonaro sent to President Biden,you will see that the communication has been very positive.There are many similarities between the United States and Brazil Are there conflicts? Yes, are there areas where we do not agree? Yes. But what is good for Brazil is good for our alliance.”

5G technology

“5G has been a very active topic. I worked on it while I was still in Washington, before I arrived in Brazil. Minister Faria was in Washington and New York and met with many companies and many US authorities to understand how we look at the situation. The goal has always been to share information. Because Brazil is an economic ally, and because we are the biggest investors here, Brazil’s national economic security is very important. The debate is: on which platform and what principles do you want to build the economy? Principles of freedom, openness, and the use of technology to liberate people or to oppress people? Does this technology come from open and audited companies? Or do you want companies that operate under the rules of authoritarian countries, where they are required by law to turn over information, and steal intellectual property? That is the decision that needs to be made. We’ve seen the US government’s decision to restrict access to American technology.”

NSA spying in Brazil

“It was another time. A very difficult time. That was in the past, 8 or 9 years ago. We are in another moment. We learned a lot about it during that time. We are on another path.”

Brazil and China

“I’ve heard many times that China is the first partner. Let’s make it clear that you are the first buyer. The buyer is not a partner, it is a customer. A partnership is when both parties want the best for the other. A partner wants you to develop your own economy. A partner is the one who invests. By far, the largest investor in Brazil is the United States. Central Bank figures show that US investments in Brazil reached $145 billion at the end of 2019. Communist China’s figures were $28 billion. There is no comparison. Ask a question: Are Brazilian investors allowed to make these investments in China?”

Brazil in the OECD التعاون

My previous government said it wanted to welcome Brazil into the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD), complying with all the rules and all that. So far, my government has not announced anything about the OECD. Politics continues until it is not us. What Brazil does in the field of the environment has an impact on all of its relations with the United States, Europe and all others who make this area a priority of their policy.”

the retirement

“It was a personal decision, a family decision. I was in Denver, where my two kids, Joshua and Jason live. Over Christmas they asked why I couldn’t live there. We decided it was the time to complete my 30 year career. It was a very difficult decision. I love this country, I love my profession.”

Diplomatic job

“It was a great experience. Work, reach, achievements…these two and a half years were probably the most productive in the relationship between Brazil and the United States. Numerous developments in commerce, in security, in space. Many technical jobs that don’t make the headlines, but are important Equally for institutions, because it brings them together. It has been great! I am very proud of our team. We have 1,500 people who work in the diplomatic mission here. It is the sixth largest team in the world. There are four consulates, an office in Belo Horizonte and the embassy.”