German Chancellor visits three key LatAm countries

Chancellor of Germany, Olaf Scholz, continues his Latin America tour with a visit to Chile, where he met with President Gabriel Boric.

The German government aims to diversify its economic partnerships, strengthening ties with democratic countries and increasing cooperation in the fields of renewable energy and green hydrogen. The economic impact of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine has prompted German businesses to seek new opportunities abroad.

During his visit to Argentina, Scholz and President Alberto Fernandez emphasized the significance of finalizing a trade agreement between the European Union and the Mercosur trade bloc, consisting of Argentina, Brazil, Paraguay, and Uruguay.

Scholz will next be in Brazil, where he will meet with the newly inaugurated President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva. Germany and the EU aim to improve relationships with Brazil following the administration of former far-right leader Jair Bolsonaro.

Chancellor Scholz’s visit will mark the first time a Western leader has met with President Lula since his inauguration.