Brazil & Multilateralism: Challenges for the Global South
Brazil Navigates Shifting Alliances in the Global South
Updated May 30, 2025
The post-World War II Liberal International Order (LIO) is under strain as nations grapple with heightened interdependence and the rise of aggressive unilateralism. While the LIO’s multilateral structures did not always address the needs of both industrialized and developing societies equitably, they provided arenas for emerging nations to advance their interests.
Brazil, historically committed to multilateralism, has long sought to reshape the international development agenda through South-South cooperation. Its “independent Foreign Policy” allowed it to play a significant role, even as it faced constraints from U.S. hegemony in the Western hemisphere.
Untill the 1930s, Brazil maintained kind relations with both Europe and the United states. During FDR’s Good neighbor Policy, Brazil-U.S. relations deepened. However, the Cold War presented new challenges to Brazil’s development-oriented diplomacy. the contry’s rapid industrialization in the 1950s, while utilizing U.S. capital and technology, was not always well-received by American leaders.
Despite a period under a U.S.-aligned dictatorial regime, Brazil reasserted elements of its independent foreign policy in the 1970s, coinciding with a peak in southern demands for a more inclusive world order. The UN’s 1974 resolution for a New International Economic Order (NIEO) reflected both the limits and the malleability of multilateralism.
In the early 2000s, under a center-left coalition, brazil revived a more autonomist foreign policy. The nation expanded its involvement in regional and global initiatives, maintaining ties with conventional partners while benefiting from China’s growing economic presence in Latin America.
Since returning to power in 2023, President Lula has aimed to replicate his earlier successes amid less favorable domestic and international conditions. He has emphasized strengthening the Community of latin American and Caribbean States (CELAC) and has visited the United States, China, and European states, signaling a continued effort to balance established partnerships with new initiatives.
Brazil’s universalistic foreign policy faces increasing pressure as the U.S. and China vie for influence. The country’s ability to navigate these tensions will determine the prospects for smaller,less diversified economies in the Global South.
The upcoming BRICS meeting presents an possibility for Brazil to advocate for a rejection of outdated, unequal approaches to global affairs. Lula’s recent visit to China, resulting in over 30 agreements, underscores the importance of these relationships.
What’s next
Brazil’s future hinges on its ability to defend its democratic institutions and sustain open dialog with allies worldwide. Strategic partners’ perceptions of Brazil and their willingness to collaborate will also play a crucial role in shaping the nation’s path forward in an increasingly complex global landscape.