U.S. Secretary of Commerce meets with key leaders to strengthen bilateral, commercial relationship

Brasília, March 9, 2010 – U.S. Secretary of Commerce Gary Locke met with key Brazilian leaders, American companies, and public and private sector co-chairs of the U.S.-Brazil CEO Forum in Brasilia. Locke discussed the Obama Administration’s National Export Initiative (NEI) and expressed hopes of broadening and deepening the U.S.-Brazil trade relationship to increase economic prosperity for both countries. Brazil is a country with which the United States has a long-standing and close relationship,” Locke said. “We want to continue building on that and to make it clear that Brazil is one of our most important hemispheric partners.  Considering the size of our economies, our close proximity to each other and growing relationship, our bilateral trade should be much greater.” More...

U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton’s visit to Brazil

Brasília - Secretary of State Hillary Clinton visited Brazil from March 2-3, 2010. During her stay in Brasília, Secretary Clinton met with Brazilian Foreign Minister Celso Amorim, President Lula and Congressional leaders. In São Paulo, Secretary Clinton participated in a "townterview" – a combination of town hall meeting and interview – at Unipalmares college campus. More... More...

Change to visa application form enters into force in March

Brasilia, March, 2010 – As of March 15th, the State Department will be using a new form in Brazil for visa applications. DS-160 is completely electronic and will replace the forms DS-156, 157 and 158. The new form, which will be mandatory as of April 5th, will also allow photographs to be uploaded.  Even with the implementation of this new form, applicants still need to schedule an interview and pay the fees. More...

Secretary Clinton releases 2009 Country Reports on Human Rights Practices

Secretary Clinton (Mar. 11): "For the last 34 years, the United States has produced the Country Reports on Human Rights Practices, providing the most comprehensive record available of the condition of human rights around the world." Click here for the full report.

Cooperation Crucial to Western Hemisphere Nations’ Success

Washington — The growing interdependence of nations in the Western Hemisphere makes the success of neighbors a compelling U.S. national security interest, a senior U.S. diplomat says. “Advancing that interest is a fundamental goal of our engagement in the Americas,” Assistant Secretary of State Arturo Valenzuela. More...