Canada, Brazil deepen ties with customs pact, C$125 million infrastructure investment

The announcements came during the fifth Canada-Brazil Strategic Partnership Dialogue, co-chaired by Canadian Foreign Minister Anita Anand and Brazilian Foreign Minister Mauro Vieira in Sao Paulo.

Canada's development finance institution, FinDev Canada, finalized two sustainable infrastructure investments in Brazil worth about C$125 million.

The projects will support expanded energy access and sustainable aviation fuel production, according to the Canadian government.

The two countries also signed an Agreement on Mutual Administrative Assistance in Customs Matters, allowing customs authorities to exchange information and strengthen cooperation against cross-border customs offences.

The ministers reaffirmed their commitment to advancing negotiations on a Canada-Mercosur free trade agreement, describing the talks as active and expressing hope for a mutually beneficial deal as soon as possible.

The two sides pledged to deepen cooperation on climate action, wildfire management, defence, organized crime and public health.

Officials also finalized an operational plan under a recently signed memorandum of understanding on wildfire assistance and integrated fire management.

The ministers noted the recent signing of a bilateral memorandum on health sector cooperation and the conclusion of negotiations on a separate agreement aimed at promoting information integrity, supporting sustainable journalism and combating disinformation, including challenges arising from artificial intelligence.

The meeting marked the fifth Strategic Partnership Dialogue between the two countries, which are celebrating 85 years of diplomatic relations this year.