Brazilian Agricultural Diplomacy in the 21st Century

Brazil’s growing dependence on agriculture has positioned agribusiness in a uniquely privileged position to influence Brazilian foreign policy. Brazilian Agricultural Diplomacy in the 21st Century examines how the inclusion of domestic “national champions” in foreign policy has shaped events within key global governance arenas.

Starting with an explanation of the structural economic importance of agriculture within the Brazilian economy, Niels Søndergaard tells the story of agribusiness’ participation in foreign policy and how this Brazilian Agricultural Diplomacy has unfolded in recent decades. Expanding on his extensive archival research undertaken in the Brazilian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and interviews with key figures, Søndergaard analyzes decision-making processes in multilateral trade negotiations, WTO dispute settlement, joint lobbying, transnational multistakeholder governance, bilateral interactions, and within the agriculture–climate nexus. These case studies show how a clear convergence of interests, close coordination, resource pooling, and coalition formation as part of this “public–private partnership” has produced impactful results within the wider global governance landscape, and how key goals of agricultural diplomacy have been internalized by actors in the foreign policymaking process.

Brazilian Agricultural Diplomacy in the 21st Century is suitable for scholars and researchers studying developing economies in global governance, power transitions and multilateralism, food and climate politics, and domestic interests in foreign policy.