Brazil Shocks China, Refuses to Join Multi-Billion Dollar Project-Belt and Road Initiative (BRI)
Brazil has decided not to join China’s massive Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), delivering a blow to China’s grand vision. This makes Brazil the second BRICS member, after India, to say no to the project. President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva’s special advisor, Celso Amorim, confirmed Brazil’s decision to decline the BRI, opting instead to explore other partnerships with Chinese investors.
China’s BRI Plans Hit a Wall
According to reports, Amorim noted that Brazil is open to strengthening ties with China but without any binding agreements under the BRI. This is a setback for China, especially with President Xi Jinping’s upcoming visit to Brazil on November 20. The visit was expected to focus on the BRI, but Brazil’s choice to stay out may change the agenda.
Growing Pushback Against the BRI in Brazil
The decision aligns with growing resistance to the BRI in Brazil, as many officials worry the project would yield limited benefits and could harm U.S.-Brazil relations. Amorim and Brazil’s Chief of Staff Rui Costa recently traveled to Beijing to discuss the BRI but reportedly returned unimpressed.
Following India’s Lead in Saying No
India was the first BRICS nation to oppose the BRI, especially critical of the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) which runs through areas India claims. India pointed to sovereignty concerns, saying the BRI lacks transparency and fails to meet international standards.
The U.S. had urged Brazil to rethink the BRI, suggesting that China is trying to influence Latin America against American interests. Alongside India, nations like the Philippines and Italy have also opted out of the BRI, leaving mostly smaller African nations involved.
What is China’s Belt and Road Initiative?
The BRI, launched in 2013, is a project aimed at creating trade links through infrastructure projects like ports, railways, and highways across Asia, Africa, and Europe. Critics claim it traps smaller countries in debt, enabling China to control strategic assets or demand favors. India and other countries have voiced concerns about the BRI’s transparency, calling for China to respect international norms and economic stability.