America wants to conclude as many free-trade agreements in the region as it can, while Brazil favors expanding its custom union, Mercosul/Mercosur. The entrance of Venezuela into the Brazilian bloc, Brazilian leadership at the United Nations mission in Haiti, and Brazil’s role in the Honduran affair are all part of this emerging competition.
巴西在国际作用领域正在同美国进行着微妙的竞争。美国希望能在区域内尽可能多的签订自由贸易协议，而巴西则更愿意进一步拓展其关税联盟和南方共同市场（Mercosul/Mercosur）。委内瑞拉加入巴西集团、巴西人领导联合国的海地维和行动、以及巴西在洪都拉斯问题上所起的作用都构成了这种正在形成的竞争关系。