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Brazil–Italy relations refers to the diplomatic relations between Brazil and Italy. Both nations enjoy friendly relations, the importance of which centres on the history of Italian migration to Brazil. Approximately 31 million Brazilians claimed to have Italian ancestry (approximately 15% of the population) making it the largest number of people with full or partial Italian ancestry outside of Italy, with the Brazilian city of São Paulo being the most populous city with Italian ancestry in the world. Both nations are mutual members of the G20 major economies, United Nations and the World Trade Organization.
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History
In September 1822, Brazil declared its independence from Portugal. In 1826, the Duchy of Parma recognized the independence of Brazil and in 1827, and ambassador from the Kingdom of the Two Sicilies arrived to Brazil. In 1836, future Italian unifier Giuseppe Garibaldi went into exile in Brazil and assisted in the separatist movement for the Brazilian State of Rio Grande do Sul. In 1861, Brazilian Emperor Pedro II recognized the Kingdom of Italy under King Victor Emmanuel II. In November 1861, Italy opened a diplomatic mission in Rio de Janeiro. In October 1871, Emperor Pedro II traveled to Italy as part of his European tour.
Italian migration to Brazil began in 1875 when Brazil began to promote migration to the country in order to increase its population and therefore created 'colonies' mostly in rural areas for Italians and other Europeans to migrate to. Between 1880 and 1920, more than one million Italians immigrated to Brazil. In 1924, Italian Prince of Piedmont (future King Umberto II) visited the city of Salvador, Bahia as Rio de Janeiro (the Brazilian capital at the time) was considered unsafe for the Prince and São Paulo was temporary taken over by rebels. The Prince's main visit to Brazil (and other South American nations) was part of a political plan of fascism to link the Italian people living outside of Italy with their mother country.
During World War I, Brazil declared war on the Central Powers after the sinking and capturing of a several Brazilian merchant ships and was the only Latin American nation to actively be involved in the war by sending eight war ships to Europe and 100 paramedics to France. At the end of the war, both Brazil and Italy partook in the Treaty of Versailles.
At the start of World War II in September 1939; Brazil remained neutral, however, German submarines (U-Boats) sank six Brazilian ships in the Atlantic and Brazil declared war on Germany and Italy on 22 August, 1942. During the war, Brazil sent an Expeditionary Force consisting of 23,000 soldiers which partook in the Italian Campaign. The Brazilian forces mainly fought within Tuscany and Emilia-Romagna regions. In 1944, Brazil restored full diplomatic relations with Italy.
Since the end of the world wars, both Brazil and Italy have strengthen their relations by agreeing to several bilateral accords such as an Agreement on Migration (1977); Agreement to avoid Double Taxation (1979); Extradition Treaty (1989); Treaty on Legal Cooperation in Criminal Matters (1993); Agreement on Scientific and Technological Cooperation (1997), among others. Both nations are active players in international organizations and leaders of both nations have paid official visits to each other nations, respectively, on numerous occasions.
State visits
Presidential visits from Brazil to Italy
Presidential and Prime Ministerial visits from Italy to Brazil
Trade
In 2015, total trade between Brazil and Italy totaled $7.4 billion USD. Italy is one of Brazil's top ten biggest trading partner globally. In 2013, Italian investments in Brazil totaled $17.9 billion USD. Italian car makers such as Ferrari, Fiat and Lamborghini have a presence in Brazil, as well as Italian fashion and food products. Brazilian companies such as Embraer and agricultural companies operate in Italy. In 2000, member nations of Mercosur (which includes Brazil) and the European Union (which includes Italy) began negotiations on a free trade agreement.