After Meeting With Bolsonaro, Trump Says He Wants Brazil in NATO
Tom Pappert
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During his joint press conference with Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro, President Donald J. Trump said he is considering how to add Brazil to the NATO alliance.
President Trump discussed the many similarities between the United States and Brazil during the press conference, eventually leading up to his suggestion that Brazil become a “non-NATO ally” or perhaps even a member of NATO.
“I also intend to designate Brazil as a major non-NATO ally, or even possibly if you start thinking about it, maybe a NATO ally,” said President Trump, “I’m going to have to talk to a lot of people, but maybe a NATO ally.”
The president also noted that the two countries are unified in their global fight against socialism, saying it has reached its “twilight” in the West.
“The twilight hour of socialism has arrived in our hemisphere, and hopefully by the way, it’s also arrived, that twilight hour, in our great country, which is doing better than it’s ever done economically,” said President Trump, “The last thing we want in the United States is socialism.”
He also thanked Brazil for its unwavering help in providing humanitarian support for the people of Venezuela, and calling for illegitimate President Maduro to step down.
President Trump also stressed that Brazil and the United States make up the two largest economies and democracies in the Western hemisphere, and noted the South American country’s contribution to the allied efforts in World War 2.
When a journalist asked President Bolsonaro about whether he would allow the United States military on Brazil’s soil to aid in the humanitarian efforts regarding Venezuela, President Bolsonaro reiterated the discussion of a potential alliance.
“We have discussed the possibility of Brazil becoming a great ally, extra-NATO,” said the Brazilian president.
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