BRAZIL: Late pro-growth strategy welcome but pandemic is the new driver
● President Jair Bolsonaro now recognizes the gravity of the COVID-19 pandemic. ● The government’s renewed push to collaborate with Congress has met with resistance. ● To spend or not to spend can no longer dictate priorities in the presence of a pandemic. … Become a member to read the rest of this […]
BRAZIL: Presidential dual rhetoric to continue to delay reform effort
President Jair Bolsonaro’s capacity to operate in two ostensibly conflicting worlds – that of social media and his own government – reached a high point this week. Bolsonaro has been as erratic as ever, resorting to confusing doublespeak. The net result is further delays in the r… Become a member to read the rest […]
BRAZIL: Blunders and irritants reinforce focus on tax reform
President Jair Bolsonaro’s recent provocation against state governors saying he would bring down federal taxes on fuel if they did the same for their VAT tax (ICMS) generated much noise but not a real change in the reform agenda. Economy Minister Guedes was assigned to make peace… Become a member to read the rest […]
BRAZIL: Tight agenda, conflicting legislative priorities
Good relations between President Jair Bolsonaro and congressional leaders are desirable but not imperative for economic reforms. A strong emphasis on the economic agenda both in government and Congress may result in the approval of tax reforms in an electoral y… Become a member to read the rest of this article
BRAZIL: Guedes gets it wrong in Davos, Bolsonaro gets it right in Brasilia
Economy Minister Paulo Guedes’ comment at the World Economic Forum (WEF) this week that the environment’s worst enemy is poverty disappointed those who expected him to focus solely on significant improvements to the economy and investment opportunities in the country over the nex… Become a member to read the rest of this article