The Minister of Foreign Affairs, Mauro Vieira, participated in a meeting of the Ottawa Group| Photo: Valter Campanato/Agência Brasil

The Minister of Foreign Affairs, Mauro Vieira, said this Thursday (8) that Brazil is concerned about the increase in protectionism in the world and defended the reduction of barriers in agricultural trade. The statement was given during the restricted meeting of chancellors of the World Trade Organization (WTO), in Paris.

“Brazil, as a developing country, wants a strengthened and modernized WTO, which incorporates development issues into its agenda, as well as the perspective of sustainable development, without leaving aside traditional issues, such as agriculture,” he said.

“Brazil is also very concerned about the rise of protectionism around the world and the use of sustainability concerns as a cover for protectionist measures,” continued Vieira. “Reducing distortions and barriers in agricultural trade is essential to enable the much-needed increase in food production around the world, especially in developing countries.”

In addition to Brazil, Canada, Botswana, Chile, China, Costa Rica, Korea, United States, United Arab Emirates, Iceland, India, Japan, New Zealand, United Kingdom, Singapore, Switzerland and the European Union participated in the meeting.