Brazil

Brazil's inflation has cooled with a 0.41% rise in early June, the second consecutive monthly slowdown below expectations. The central bank has reduced the benchmark Selic rate to 14.25%, marking the third consecutive quarter-point cut. Annual inflation was near 4.7% in May.

The World Cup 2026 quarter-finals saw Argentina face Switzerland following an Egypt comeback, Colombia lose on penalties, and Neymar retire from Brazil national team duties.

Brazilian Senator Flávio Bolsonaro, a leading right-wing presidential hopeful, requested the USTR to delay a 25% U.S. tariff on Brazilian goods until after October elections. The request was made during a public hearing in Washington.

Peru has relaunched its long-stalled Amazon waterway as a public-private project with a $304 million investment and a 25-year concession. The project's cost is more than triple the original $95 million awarded in 2017, aiming to deepen trade with Brazil.

Brazil's logistics operator VLI began testing year-round rail transport of soybean meal to the northern port of Itaqui, aiming to increase exports. Brazil is projected to export 23.2 million tonnes of soybean meal in 2025/26, nearing Argentina's 30 million tonnes.

Santander Brasil units (SANB11) have fallen 21% in 2026, the worst performance among Brazil’s largest banks. Meanwhile, the Spanish parent company’s shares rose 24%, making it continental Europe’s most valuable bank. The valuation gap between the two entities is the widest since Brazil’s records began.

Coca-Cola, Tesla, and eBay urged the US Trade Representative to exempt Brazilian imports from a proposed 25% Section 301 tariff. A public hearing at the US International Trade Commission received 365 written submissions, with a July 15 deadline for the USTR to act.

LATAM plans to expand its fleet to 410 aircraft by 2026, adding 41 new aircraft this year and introducing its first Embraer E195-E2 jets on Brazilian domestic routes by the second half of the year.

The article highlights growing global interest in Brazil's rare earth resources and questions whether the Brazilian government is prepared to capitalize on this demand.

Brazil cannot produce enough wheat to meet its needs, unlike soy and corn. The 2026 wheat crop is forecast to shrink to seven million tonnes, prompting imports of nearly seven million tonnes.

Brazil’s air force states it needs at least 66 Gripen jets but has only ordered 36. The shortfall was revealed in a formal response to a congressional defense committee, with the current order valued at roughly $5bn, including weapons and support.

Brazil’s state companies recorded a primary deficit of R$7.4bn in the first five months of 2026, surpassing the R$5.9bn shortfall for all of 2025, the worst on record. The data comes from the central bank’s fiscal statistics.

Brazil is experiencing a surge in hotel investments with over 150 new projects underway. Global brands like Marriott and Hilton are expanding rapidly, with Hilton planning to double its Brazilian portfolio by 2030. Luxury openings from Four Seasons and a renovated Sofitel are also planned in Rio de Janeiro.

Pig iron, a raw iron used by steel mills, is Brazil's top export to the United States. Minas Gerais, Brazil's main hub for pig iron exports, sold approximately $1 billion to the U.S. in 2025, making it highly vulnerable to U.S. tariffs.

Brazil remains the world’s fifth-largest destination for foreign direct investment (FDI), with annual inflows near $66 billion and a total foreign-investment stock close to $1 trillion. Global investment flows are distorted by financial hubs, complicating analysis of real projects.

Brazil’s beef exports reached nearly $10 billion in the first half of 2026, setting a new record, but the country is nearing its 1.1 million-tonne tariff-free quota for China, with excess shipments facing a 55 percent tariff. Abiec reported the export figures, and the issue is highlighted by The Rio Times.

Micro and small firms constitute 99% of all companies in Brazil, provide 55% of formal-sector jobs, and account for most new hires. Brazil has approximately 22 million small businesses, with most employing up to five people.

Brazil’s chicken exports reached a first-half record of $5.7 billion, a 17% increase from the previous year, with shipments totaling 2.94 million tonnes, up nearly 13%. The data was released by the animal-protein association ABPA in early July.

Starbucks plans to open 30 new stores in Brazil in 2026, a 33% increase from its current number. The chain is now operated by Zamp, a Mubadala-backed group managing Burger King in Brazil. The expansion follows the collapse of former partner SouthRock, which went bankrupt in 2023 with $360m in debts.

Brazil's right-wing movement enters the 2026 presidential election without its strongest candidate, São Paulo Governor Tarcísio de Freitas, who is ineligible due to seeking re-election. Jair Bolsonaro is also blocked, with the first-round election set for October 4, 2026, and a likely runoff on October 25.

Argentina faces Egypt and Colombia meets Switzerland in World Cup last-16 matches. Brazil processes a Haaland-inspired exit and Neymar's farewell.

The article recounts Mexico's 1994 World Cup 'Group of Death' performance, where they advanced via aggregate goals despite a 1-1 draw with Bulgaria in the Round of 16, which Mexico lost on penalties. It highlights Mexico's recurring struggles in advancing past the Round of 16 in subsequent World Cups, including notable losses to Germany, the U.S., Argentina, and Brazil, while emphasizing the fans' enduring hope and humor, exemplified by the '¿y si sí?' chant.

A global birdwatching study by travel insurer AllClear ranked Peru’s Manú National Park first with 83.1 and Tambopata second with 67.5. Six of the world’s top ten birdwatching sites are located in Latin America, spanning Peru, Brazil, and Ecuador.

Brazil is courting about twenty foreign firms to launch rockets from its Alcântara spaceport, leveraging an equatorial edge to compete in the space market.

Brazil and Mexico were eliminated from World Cup 2026, while Argentina and Colombia advanced. Political developments continued across Latin American cities including Lima and La Paz.

Brazil starts the week with the Bovespa at a record high of 174,070, up 0.74% due to strong domestic services data. The real strengthened to 5.17 over the weekend, and US markets return from a holiday.

Brazil and Mexico are eliminated from the World Cup, leaving Argentina and Colombia as Latin America's remaining teams, set to play tomorrow as markets reopen. Tax authorities in the region are intensifying efforts to target long-staying foreigners.

Brazil's Ibovespa stock index rose to 174,070 points and the real strengthened to 5.1686 per dollar as weak factory data increased expectations for a Selic rate cut.

Ancelotti, the Brazil national team coach, discussed the elimination to Norway, the decision for Guimaraes to take the penalty instead of Vinicius, his reflection on the team's performance, and his potential continuation as head coach ahead of the next World Cup.

FIFA's decision to lift U.S. striker Folarin Balogun's one-match ban, allowing him to play against Belgium in the World Cup round-of-16, sparked controversy in Belgium. Despite not participating in the Norway-Brazil match, Balogun was named third choice for 'darling of the match' by RTBF viewers, receiving 17% of votes. The top two spots were claimed by Norway's Ørjan Nyland and Erling Haaland.

bet365 is offering a promotion where users can place a $10 bet on the Norway vs. Brazil match and receive $150 in bonus bets, regardless of the outcome. The bonus applies to both win and lose scenarios for the specified match.

Brazil's IPCA inflation reading is set to close the week on Friday, marking the first full print since the Copom rate cut. Key events include FOMC minutes on Wednesday, RBNZ's decision on Tuesday night, and Mexico's June CPI data on Thursday morning.

Canada’s Alimentation Couche-Tard is in talks with Grupo Ultra to buy a stake in Brazil’s second-largest fuel distributor, Ipiranga, which operates over six thousand service stations and generates more than one hundred and forty billion reais in annual revenue.

US officials warn Americans against ties to Brazil's PCC and Comando Vermelho, now designated as foreign terrorist organizations. The State Department expanded sanctions to include Americans, widening prior guidance aimed at foreigners.

New Zealand has pledged to initiate trade talks with Brazil and Europe within the next five years. The commitment focuses on strengthening economic partnerships through formal negotiations.

Brazil’s Dario Durigan stated that credit lines will not impact monetary policy. The article highlights his assertion regarding the independence of monetary policy from credit line initiatives.

Ibovespa closed at a one-month high of 174,070 on 3 July 2026, driven by gains in CSN and steelmakers, while VALE3 and BTG led turnover. The USD/BRL exchange rate weakened to 5.1682.

Five Latin American nations advanced to the World Cup's last 16, with Argentina surviving a close match against Cape Verde and Colombia defeating Ghana. Peru’s president-elect is formally proclaimed as the knockout round begins.

Brazil freezes $2 billion in assets linked to the PCC criminal organization, Peru reports accelerated glacier melting, and Argentina advances plans to develop private nuclear power. The report highlights security, environmental, and energy developments across Latin America.

A soft US payrolls report reset the Federal Reserve's hiking schedule, boosted European markets to records, and stabilized Brazil's real near R$5.21, impacting Latin American investors.