U.S. President Barack Obama will pay an official visit to Brazil in the middle of this year to expand U.S. relations with Latin America, the Brazilian official news agency Agencia Brasil said Tuesday.
Before Obama’s visit, U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton will come to Brasilia in the first half year to discuss a cooperation agreement aimed at promoting trade and investment.
The document will not end the tariffs or trade barriers between the two countries, but it will facilitate bilateral negotiations.
Visits by Obama and Clinton have been cobbled together in recent days between U.S. and Brazilian diplomats.
Obama was waiting for the confirmation of new U.S. Ambassador Thomas Shannon ahead of his visit to Brasilia, according to the Agencia Brasil.
In a speech at a ceremony, Secretary of State Clinton highlighted the role of Brazil on issues concerning climate change and energy, calling Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva a major regional leader in Latin America.