Allesi retuiteado
Things Americans believe about Brazil that are completely wrong:
"Brazil is dangerous."
São Paulo's murder rate is approximately 6 per 100,000. St. Louis, Baltimore, New Orleans, and Detroit all exceed 40. Latin America's largest city (the place most Americans picture when they think "dangerous Brazil") is safer per capita than St. Louis, Baltimore, New Orleans, Detroit, Memphis, and Cleveland.
"Brazil is poor."
8th largest economy on earth. 7th by purchasing power. GDP larger than Italy's. Unemployment at 5.3% (the lowest since 2012). 108.2 million tonnes of soybeans exported in 2025 ($43.5 billion). $18 billion in beef exports. $86 billion in revenue from a single meat company (JBS). $7.6 billion from a single airplane manufacturer (Embraer).
"Brazil only exports raw materials."
Embraer is the third-largest aircraft manufacturer on earth. Half the regional jets in America are Brazilian. WEG is a $40 billion industrial manufacturer that exports to 135+ countries. Nubank serves 110 million customers and is worth $85 billion. The Manaus Free Trade Zone assembles Samsung phones, Honda motorcycles, and LG electronics inside the Amazon.
"Brazil's financial system is backwards."
Pix processes 6-7 billion transactions per month. 170 million users. 93% of the adult population. The Fed launched FedNow nearly three years after Pix. Adoption: minimal. Brazil has Open Finance with 60+ million active consents. The US does not. Brazil has an active CBDC pilot (Drex). The US does not.
"The currency is unstable."
Brazil's Central Bank raised rates to 13.75% before the Fed started hiking. It fought inflation faster and harder than most major central banks in the 2021-2023 cycle. BCB independence was formalized by law in 2021 with fixed four-year terms. The dollar touched R$5.00 for the first time in two years. The Ibovespa hit 16 all-time records in 2026 and is up 22% YTD.
"Nobody invests in Brazil."
Chinese FDI grew 113% in 2024. The US committed $565 million to critical minerals. The EU just signed its largest trade deal ever (720 million consumers, 90%+ tariffs eliminated). BTG Pactual reported "enormous increase in interest from large pension funds and sovereign funds." The Ibovespa gained 30%+ in dollar terms in 2025.
"The Amazon is being destroyed."
Brazil still holds 60% of the Amazon rainforest. It has a higher share of renewable electricity than any major economy on earth (87%). The EU-Mercosul deal requires deforestation-free certification for all agricultural exports starting late 2026. Brazil powers itself with water while exporting oil. Very few countries on earth can say the same.
The gap between what Americans think they know about Brazil and what is actually true is wider than any valuation gap in financial markets.
That gap is the opportunity.
Next time someone tells you Brazil is "risky," ask them what they actually know about it.
Most of the time, the answer is nothing.
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