The visits come at a time when German businesses are looking for new opportunities abroad to diversify energy supplies after the economic shock caused by the Russia-Ukraine conflict.
“Germany wants to boost cooperation with Latin America and the Caribbean on renewable energies, green hydrogen and responsible trade in raw materials,” Scholz said in an interview Saturday with the Grupo de Diarios America (GDA) consortium of South American newspapers.
On Monday, Scholz will become the first Western leader to meet with Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva since his inauguration. One key topic during his visit to Brazil will be a trade deal between the EU and the trade bloc Mercosur, comprised of Argentina, Brazil, Paraguay and Uruguay. The environment will also be high on the agenda when Scholz visits Brazil.