Overview
- At a Berlin trade event following COP30, Merz said none of the journalists traveling with him wanted to stay in Belém and that they were glad to return to Germany.
- President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva answered with a pointed quip praising Pará’s quality of life, and Belém’s mayor condemned the remark as arrogant and prejudiced.
- Government spokesperson Stefan Kornelius said Merz will not apologize and maintained the comments caused no damage to bilateral ties.
- Environment Minister Carsten Schneider lauded Brazil and the hosts in Belém, posting from the city and striking a conciliatory tone.
- Merz promised a “notable” contribution to Brazil’s tropical forest fund without naming a figure, drawing criticism from environmental groups and German political opponents as Vice-Chancellor Lars Klingbeil urged tolerance for off-the-cuff remarks.