Brasília – Upon inaugurating a grain warehouse of the National Food Supply Company (Conab) in Uberlândia (state of Minas Gerais) today (8th), president Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva claimed that Brazil may dominate global food production if it continues investing in the grain crop and in technology. He also said that Brazil can now "stand tall" after having fought and won over the United States in disputes at the World Trade Organization (WTO).
According to Lula, the inauguration of the Conab’s warehouse, with capacity for 100,000 tonnes of grain, is proof that the country is preparing itself for the future.
The president recalled battles fought against the United States and the European Union at the WTO over subsidies paid to cotton and sugar farmers, respectively.
"Brazil respects the United States and Europe, but it is second to none, it stands tall and wants to compete in equal conditions. We have just had a fight with the United States at the WTO about the cotton issue, and we have won. We have just fought over sugar and we have won," he said.
"In the past, we would be about to fight the United States and we would be told: do not fight the United States, they are too big. [Do not] fight Europe, they are too big. Well, my boy, an elephant is large, its trunk is the size of ten mice, but put a little mouse next to the elephant and you will see how scared it gets," compared Lula, adding that Brazil respects North Americans and Europeans, and wants them as trade partners.
"I think what we have done was just to tell the North Americans: we respect you, we want you to be our privileged partners, but we want to be respected as well. We have told the Europeans the same. Entrepreneurs or ministers who travel abroad know that Brazil was never before able to stand tall, and now our country is admired," said the president.
*Translated by Gabriel Pomerancblum
