WASHINGTON, D.C. — Florida House Speaker Daniel Perez, President Donald Trump’s nominee as U.S. Ambassador to Brazil, testified on Thursday before the U.S. Senate Foreign Relations Committee.
Perez, a Cuban-American Republican from Miami-Dade County, faced Democrats’ pushback during his confirmation hearing, after Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva refuted Trump’s accusations of unfair trade practices.
“As Speaker of the Florida House of Representatives, I learned that clarity, integrity, and follow-through are the foundations of effective governance. I will bring those same principles to the Embassy in Brasília,” Perez said after Sen. Rick Scott’s introduction.
Related document: Perez’s statement before the committee (.PDF)
When Sen. Tim Kaine, a Democrat, raised the issue of tariffs, Perez said he was unfamiliar with the decision that was made without him. Sen. Pete Ricketts, a Republican, focused on ethanol.
“It’s not just in ethanol. I think there’s a gap across energy, across infrastructure, when it comes to the Brazilian-United States relationship. Part of that, in my opinion, has to do with exposure,” Perez said.
Brazil’s Foreign Minister Mauro Vieira and U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio clashed, as the Trump administration was set to impose a new 25% tariff on July 22, with exceptions that include coffee, beef, oranges, and aircraft components.
Related report: Brazil calls Trump’s 25% tariff unjustifiable, vows to impose reciprocal tariffs
“Brazil holds vast reserves of critical minerals essential to American economic strength and national security. It sits at the center of hemispheric trade, energy, and infrastructure, and it faces real security challenges,” Perez said.
Trump has referred to former Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro’s conviction for attempting a coup as a “witch hunt,” and met with Bolsonaro’s son Flávio Bolsonaro, a conservative Brazilian senator, in May, as he aimed to run against Lula on Oct. 6.
Perez mentioned the upcoming presidential election and his plans if he gets to serve in Brazil.
“My highest priorities, if confirmed, will be the protection of American citizens in Brazil, the advancement of our national interests in trade and investment, the disruption of narcotics trafficking and transnational crime, and the building of resilient partnerships,” Perez said.
Watch Scott’s introduction
Perez answers Sen. Pete Ricketts’s question
Related social media
Thank you, Senator Scott, for your leadership and friendship, and thank you to the Committee on Foreign Relations for time and thoughtful consideration. I appreciate the opportunity and, if confirmed, look forward to serving our country as the United States Ambassador to Brazil. https://t.co/b1JDROIbrf
— Daniel Perez (@Daniel_PerezFL) July 16, 2026
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