Temer flies back to Brazil after G20 meeting

President Michel Temer has left China and is on his way to Brazil, where he is expected to arrive Tuesday (Sep. 6) at 2 pm (Brasília time).

On his last day in Hangzhou, where he participated in a G20 Summit meeting, the president met with the heads of state from Japan, Saudi Arabia, and Italy.

Demonstrations in Brazil

In his visit to China, Temer also expressed his view about the protests that have been staged in Brazil against his government. He mentioned the demonstrations from July 2013, criticized by the previous administration.

“A democratic demonstration is one thing—and it's most crucial. In June 2013, several members of the government then criticized that movement. I said, 'No, we shouldn't show criticism,” and noted they were Brazilians taking the streets calling for efficiency in public services,” Temer said, pointing out that the movement “went downhill” because of the act of vandals.

“This is what brought the movement to a halt—precisely because the Brazilian people do not take easily to depredation. Nor is depredation permitted under the law. Freedom of expression and demonstrations of a doctrinal, political or ideological nature is acceptable. Depredation, however, is an offense,” Temer stated.

The president had already made remarks about the protests that had been staged ever since Rousseff was impeached, describing them as “minor” and “vandalizing,” and adding they were nothing but “petty movements.”

Bilateral meetings

In bilateral meetings he had with heads of state, Temer sought to present a positive image of the country in order to attract investments, especially for infrastructure. To expand the Brazilian foreign trade, Temer gave special emphasis to the country's agricultural products.

In the meeting with Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, Temer sustained Brazil's interest in attracting investments in infrastructure, more specifically for ports, airports, and railways. According to Temer, Brazil wants to sell more beef and fruit to Japan. Shinzo Abe said that Japan is "ready and hopeful" about cooperating and negotiating with Brazil.

The possibility for Brazil to receive investment in infrastructure was also on the agenda of Temer's meeting with Spanish Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy. The two heads of state jointly expressed support for the peace agreement between Colombia's government and the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC).

With Prince Mohammad bin Salman, Saudi Arabia's second deputy prime minister, Temer spoke about Brazil's interest in increasing exports of agricultural products and defense equipment. It was agreed that Brazil's government will send a technical mission to the country on date to be set.

During the meeting with Italian Prime Minister Matteo Renzi, they have agreed on a visit of 300 Italian businessmen to Brazil on date to be set. As happened in other bilateral meetings, Temer reiterated Brazil's interest in attracting investments for concessions and privatizations. He also expressed interest in the sale of aircraft made by the Brazilian aerospace company Embraer.

*Data from NBR were added to this story

Translated by Amarílis Anchieta / Fabrício Ferreira