Ex-WTO Chief Azevêdo Joins Caiado's Campaign

Who Is Roberto Azevêdo and Why Does His Role Matter?

Roberto Azevêdo, a career diplomat trained at the Instituto Rio Branco and an electrical engineer from the University of Brasília (UnB), became the first Latin American to lead the World Trade Organization when he won the WTO's top post in 2013 — defeating the candidate backed by the United States and the European Union. In 2017 he was unanimously re-elected for a second term. His appointment to Caiado's campaign signals a bet on heavyweight international credentials at a moment of heightened trade friction between Brazil and the US.

What Is Caiado's Criticism of the Current Trade Policy?

In an official statement, Caiado argued that both poles of Brazil's political polarisation are harming the country for electoral gain. He accused one side of encouraging tariffs for campaign purposes and replacing serious policy debate with "international bickering," while criticising the government for politicising trade negotiations with "bravado and diplomatic offences" that damage Brazil's foreign and commercial relations.

Who Else Is Shaping the Campaign's Economic Team?

The overall government programme is coordinated by former minister Roberto Brant, who aims to differentiate Caiado's economic proposals from PT-era policies. Economist Cristiane Schmidt, president of MSGÁS (the Mato Grosso do Sul gas company), has been invited to contribute to the economic programme, though the campaign has not yet confirmed whether she has accepted. Deputy Arnaldo Jardim (Cidadania) was named national mobilisation coordinator, and former minister Aldo Rebelo was chosen for political coordination.