The Acting President and Minister of Development, Industry, Trade, and Services (Ministério do Desenvolvimento, Indústria, Comércio e Serviços/MDIC), Geraldo Alckmin, participated in the “Rumos 2025” event, organized by Valor Econômico, on Monday, March 24. Among the topics he addressed were foreign trade, green investment in sustainable development, public security and taxation. Considering the opportunities for Brazil in the current geopolitical context, as well as the relationship with the United States, Alckmin noted that the connection between the two countries spans over 200 years. The Vice President also called for a negotiation model that allows for greater reciprocity between nations.

"These negotiations are ongoing, and we advocate for a win-win outcome. We must seize the opportunities to increase foreign trade and improve our trade relations. The United States is also important for Brazil because it is the country to which we export our most value-added products: airplanes, automobiles, and equipment. So, we are committed to making progress in the negotiations," he pointed out.

FOREIGN TRADE – Alckmin emphasized that China is Brazil's largest trading partner and that the priority is to defend multilateralism. He also highlighted that one of the reasons for President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva's visit to Japan was to advance discussions on international trade.

"The United States and China are major partners of Brazil. China is Brazil's largest buyer, the country to which we export the most; and the United States is the largest investor in Brazil. We have over three thousand American companies in Brazil, so our position is to defend multilateralism and free trade. We can make progress, and that is Brazil's stance," stated the Acting President.

Alckmin emphasized the need to further strengthen Mercosur and highlighted the importance of the recently signed trade agreement with the European Union. "Foreign trade is essential. At the Minister of Development, Industry, Trade, and Services we are working to make industry more innovative, sustainable, competitive, and export-oriented. So, our task is to conquer markets," he argued.

ACHIEVEMENTS – Alckmin mentioned the progress made during this administration so far, such as the approval of the Tax Reform, the strengthening of the Unified Health System (Sistema Único de Saúde/SUS), and increased investments in education. "We have a very positive result: employment in the industry has grown, it is at the forefront of innovation, and pays better salaries; innovation, sustainability, and education have improved; the value of daycare centers is now beginning to be recognized; full-time schools are preventing student drop-out from high school through a savings incentive; SUS is back, along with vaccination programs," said Alckmin.

He also highlighted the Bill to ensure Income Tax exemption for those earning up to BRL 5,000 and the Workers' Credit program. For Alckmin, these are fair decisions that stimulate the country's economic development.

"It will make credit cheaper. People employed in agriculture, industry, or commerce can move from an expensive debt to a cheaper one and can have an income gain from this. And Income Tax is tax and social justice. Those who earn less, pay less. Those who earn more, pay more. This is about giving the opportunity for people who earn more to make a larger contribution to society," he declared.

Today, we are the key player in food security, energy security, and clean energy, with numerous opportunities. And the major player in the climate issue. We have the world’s largest tropical forest. Brazil has shifted its stance, from not combating deforestation to taking firm action against it."
GERALDO ALCKMIN
Brazil’s Acting President and Minister of the MDIC

ENVIRONMENT – In the environmental field, the Acting President reinforced Brazil's role in energy and food security, leadership on the climate issue, and the fight against deforestation. "Today, we are the key player in food security, energy security, and clean energy, with numerous opportunities. And the major player in the climate issue. We have the world’s largest tropical forest. Brazil has shifted its stance, from not combating deforestation to taking firm action against it," he stated.

Another highlight he presented was the hosting of COP30 in Brazil. According to the Acting President, it will be a great opportunity for the country.  Alckmin also emphasized Brazil's NDCs (Nationally Determined Contributions), aimed at reducing greenhouse gas emissions. "COP could be a challenging change, but it is an important one. And Brazil presented its NDCs at the COP in Baku, Azerbaijan (COP29). I represented Brazil there. The goal is to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by between 59% to 67% by 2035. It is ambitious but achievable," Alckmin emphasized.

GREEN INVESTMENT – Regarding measures to attract investments that prioritize environmental sustainability, Alckmin highlighted the Green Mobility program (Mobilidade Verde /MOVER), which attracted BRL 130 billion in funding, as well as the Climate Fund and the Amazon Fund.

"I would highlight MOVER – Green Mobility. The automotive industry grew last year. The global average growth for the automotive industry was 2%. In Brazil, it was 9.7%. I would also highlight the Climate Fund, which makes credit cheaper for sustainability issues, decarbonization, the regulated carbon market, green hydrogen, and the Amazon Fund," he listed.

Furthermore, he emphasized that Brazil has competitive potential in the ecological transition. "We are focused on this ecological transition. And Brazil is an example because almost 90% of our electricity is renewable. Hydroelectric, solar, wind and biomass. That is why we have great potential to attract [investments]," Alckmin stated.

Regarding monetary policy, the Acting President addressed high interest rates and highlighted the creation of the Credit Letter for Development (Letra de Crédito para o Desenvolvimento/LCD) as a measure to reduce financing costs for industry and commerce. "Good news: we’ve just launched the LCD, the Credit Letter for Development. There was the LCA (Agricultural Credit Letter) for agriculture, the LCI (Real Estate Credit Letter) for real estate, and now the LCD, supporting the development of commerce and industry," he said.

FOOD – Measures to reduce food prices were also addressed by Alckmin. While explaining that the price increase was caused by various factors, such as drought and the rise in the dollar, the Acting President shared a positive outlook for 2025. In addition to the zero tax on various food products, Alckmin advocated for strengthening the National Supply Company (Companhia Nacional de Abastecimento/CONAB) stock.

"We will increasingly face climate fluctuations. So, when there is a very large harvest, we try to store a bit, creating a regulatory stock. Later, when there is a shortage, we can release this regulatory stock to prevent major fluctuations. CONAB should only buy when the price drops. It will not be buying now, competing in the market... But I believe the trend will be a decrease in product prices, in food. And this will also help reduce inflation," said Alckmin.

"We need to stay alert to the issue of climate, but the harvest is expected to grow nearly 10% this year. Last year, industry helped boost GDP, which grew 3.4%, and the manufacturing industry grew 3.8%. This year, I believe there will be a boost in agriculture," he added.

PUBLIC SECURITY – The Acting President also addressed the issue of public security and advocated for policy integration and the need to intensify collaboration with neighboring countries. "We must work with neighboring countries as well. Work that goes beyond our borders of coordination. And I also believe in a Supreme Court decision —which I think it took a step in the right direction— that will give municipalities a bit more authority on the issue of security," Alckmin pointed out.

RUMOS 2025 – The "Rumos 2025" seminar, organized by Valor Econômico, will discuss the challenges and opportunities for Brazil’s development in areas such as the economy, global trade, climate change, and public security. Several panels will address topics such as the new global trade stage, the fiscal scenario and sustainable growth, as well as the climate crisis and the need for environmental investments.

Check out the participation of the acting president, Geraldo Alckmin, in the opening panel