China and Brazil in the global economy

This article focuses on the trajectories of Brazil and China, searching for patterns and trends in the evolution of their mutual relationship. The analysis of changes in the quantity and direction of trade and the role of both Brazilian and Chinese firms in global value chains points to a variety of direct and indirect consequences for Brazil of China's rapid growth. This has resulted from a number of factors, including at governmental level, where the Chinese and the Brazilian governments espouse quite distinct perspectives about their role in the global order and the way in which global and regional trade should be restructured. In addition, since the 1950s, multinational enterprises have played a leading role in the evolution of the Brazilian economy Their focus has now turned to Asia and especially China.