Brazil ready to export crude oil to Japan

Tokyo (ANTARA) — Brazilian Foreign Minister Mauro Vieira said his country is prepared to export crude oil to Japan, according to the Japanese Foreign Ministry. On May 18, Japanese Foreign Minister Motegi Toshimitsu held the first Tokyo-Brazil Foreign Ministers’ Strategic Dialogue with Vieira. ‘Vieira expressed understanding of Motegi’s statement and stated that, taking into account the current international situation, Brazil is prepared to engage in constructive discussions on supplying Brazil’s crude oil to Japan,’ the Japanese Foreign Ministry said in a statement on Monday, May 18. In an interview with the Nikkei newspaper, Vieira also revealed that the two sides discussed supply of rare earth metals. Brazil has the world’s second-largest reserves of rare earths after China. He added that member countries of the Mercosur trade bloc are ready to begin negotiations with Japan on an economic partnership.