Biden Latin America trip/ Amazon rainforest visit/ U.S.-Brazil relations/ climate change/ APEC summit/ G20 summit/ workers’ rights/ Newslooks/ WASHINGTON/ J. Mansour/ Morning Edition/ President Joe Biden will travel to Latin America later this month for a six-day tour, becoming the first sitting U.S. president to visit the Amazon rainforest. His trip includes stops in Peru and Brazil, where he will attend summits, discuss climate issues, and meet with local leaders. In Brazil, Biden will join President Lula to discuss labor rights, clean growth, and global challenges.
“Biden’s Historic Latin America Trip Quick Looks”
- Historic Amazon Visit: Biden will be the first U.S. president to visit the Amazon rainforest, meeting conservation leaders in Manaus.
- Summits in Peru and Brazil: Biden’s tour includes the APEC summit in Peru and a G20 gathering in Brazil.
- Focus on Climate and Workers’ Rights: In Brazil, Biden and President Lula plan to address clean economic growth and workers’ rights.
- Legacy Building: This trip offers Biden a final opportunity to engage with world leaders as his term nears its end.
Biden to Visit Amazon Rainforest on Six-Day Latin America Trip
Deep Look
President Joe Biden is set to embark on a six-day trip to Latin America, which will include a historic stop in the Amazon rainforest, marking the first time a sitting U.S. president has visited the region. The White House announced Thursday that Biden’s journey will begin on November 14 in Lima, Peru, where he will attend the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) summit and meet with Peru’s President Dina Boluarte.
Following his stay in Peru, Biden will travel to Brazil from November 17 to 19. In Manaus, a gateway to the Amazon rainforest, Biden will meet with indigenous leaders and local conservationists working to protect one of the world’s most critical ecosystems. The Amazon visit underscores Biden’s ongoing focus on climate action and environmental preservation, making it a highlight of his Latin America tour.
From Manaus, Biden will proceed to Rio de Janeiro, where he will meet with Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva. The leaders are expected to discuss workers’ rights, sustainable development, and clean economic growth, in addition to attending the Group of 20 (G20) summit to address global challenges such as climate change, poverty, and food security.
Biden’s visit comes at a pivotal moment in his presidency, as he prepares to hand over office to President-elect Donald Trump in January. This Latin America trip provides Biden with one of his final chances to engage face-to-face with leaders he’s collaborated with over the years on critical issues.
Biden and Lula share a left-leaning political vision and a focus on environmental action, making them strong allies in the global climate conversation. Their discussions are expected to include strategies to protect the Amazon and support sustainable economic policies, particularly as Brazil, home to the majority of the Amazon, plays a vital role in global climate stability. Lula’s stance aligns with Biden’s environmental priorities, and the two leaders previously discussed climate issues when Lula won Brazil’s 2022 presidential race, defeating Jair Bolsonaro, who was often likened to Trump for his conservative policies and stance on environmental issues.
The trip to Latin America comes as Biden winds down his presidential duties and reflects his commitment to fostering international partnerships, particularly in addressing climate concerns. For Biden, whose administration has championed climate goals and clean energy, the Amazon visit symbolizes both a diplomatic gesture and a call to action for nations to work together to tackle environmental crises.
In addition to the rainforest visit, Biden’s stop in Brazil and participation in the G20 summit will serve as a final platform for the outgoing president to reinforce U.S. commitments to global collaboration and sustainable development. As Latin American countries increasingly emphasize environmental conservation and sustainable growth, Biden’s trip underscores the importance of these relationships as essential to regional and global progress.