First elected in 2002 and reelected by a landslide in 2006, Brazil’s president Luiz Inácio “Lula” da Silva is renowned for expanding Brazil’s antihunger and antipoverty programs. Lula has been no less determined to enhance Brazil’s role as an international leader by pushing for the more prominent role of developing countries in international organizations such as the World Trade Organization (WTO), the World Bank, and the United Nations. 

Despite his sound macroeconomic policies, Lula is confronted by pressing challenges that threaten his legacy. Domestically, Lula’s presidency has been weakened by accusations of corruption within his party and administration, placing rule of law on his shortlist of necessary reforms. In order to sustain Brazil’s economic trajectory, Lula’s agenda should consider initiatives to liberalize Brazil’s labor market, protect property rights, and simplify an antiquated and complicated tax system, among others. Internationally, Lula should exercise his clout to rescue WTO talks from stalemate over agricultural subsidies.  Does Brazil’s president have the will and the means to take on such an ambitious reform agenda?

On April 17, AEI will host Brazil’s ambassador to the United States, Antonio Patriota, to discuss the challenges and opportunities of Lula’s domestic and international agenda and the future of the bilateral relationship. Michael May of the Center for Strategic and International Studies, Bill Perry of William Perry and Associates, and Paulo Sotero of the Woodrow Wilson International Center for Scholars will comment. AEI’s Roger F. Noriega will moderate.