[philman_36]

Some more...
Brazil's Message to Obama: It Wishes to Be Treated as an Equal
Final details on a series of agreements and memorandums that will be signed during the visit by Obama, on March 19 and 20, were still being worked out earlier this week. People close to the negotiations report that the last-minute rush is normal in such cases.
A Trade and Economic Cooperation Agreement, known as TECA, which will create an advanced legal framework for relations, is in an advanced stage. It will reduce trade and investment barriers. Sanitation rules on fruit and meats are being worked out, along with measures to simplify customs and other technical rules.

Touting this as nothing more than a vacation is just plain wrong.

[maggief]

http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2011/olympics/wires/03/19/2080.ap.lt.obama.latin.america.olympics.0166/

Brazil, US sign agreement for World Cup, Olympics

BRASILIA, Brazil (AP) - Brazil and the United States have established a working relationship for the organization of the 2014 World Cup and the 2016 Olympic Games.

An agreement signed by the two nations says that the United States will share its know-how in organizing the two events. The United States hosted the World Cup in 1994 and the Olympic Games in 2000.

(snip)