Germany’s Merz under fire in Brazil for his comments on Amazon host city of COP30

Brazilian Officials Condemn German Chancellor’s Disparaging Comments About Amazon City

Brazilian authorities have strongly rebuked German Chancellor Friedrich Merz for comments perceived as dismissive toward Belém, a gateway city to the Amazon rainforest and the designated venue for an upcoming United Nations Climate Summit.

President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva led the chorus of criticism directed at Merz, who had visited Brazil earlier in November for climate discussions. Upon returning to Germany, Merz told attendees at a Berlin trade conference that he was relieved to leave Brazil, making remarks that many Brazilians found offensive.

“We live in one of the most beautiful countries in the world,” Merz said during his speech. “Last week I asked some journalists who were with me in Brazil: Which of you would like to stay here? No one raised their hand. They were all happy that, above all, we returned from this place to Germany in the night from Friday to Saturday.”

The comments sparked immediate backlash across Brazilian social media before President Lula addressed them directly during the inauguration of a new bridge in the southern Amazon region.

“The German chancellor complained these days: ‘I went to Belém, but I came back quickly because I actually like Berlin,'” Lula said. “He should have gone to a pub, he should have danced, he should have tried the food in the state of Pará. He would then notice that Berlin doesn’t give him 10% of the quality offered by Pará state and the city of Belém.”

The diplomatic tension comes at a sensitive time for Brazil-German relations, particularly regarding environmental cooperation. Germany stands as a major contributor to the Amazon Fund, a Brazilian government initiative aimed at combating deforestation. During his visit to Belém on November 7, Merz had pledged a “considerable” investment in the Tropical Forests Forever Fund, an initiative developed by Lula’s administration to support more than 70 developing countries committed to forest preservation.

Pará state Governor Helder Barbalho condemned Merz’s comments as prejudiced, adding pointedly: “It is curious to see someone who pushed the planet to be warmer to find the heat of the Amazon so weird.” This comment referenced Germany’s historical industrial emissions that have contributed to global warming.

Belém Mayor Igor Normando characterized the chancellor’s remarks as “prejudiced and arrogant,” contrasting them with the typical reaction of German visitors. “That’s quite different from his own people, who have shown their enchantment for our city in the streets of Belém,” Normando said. “Chancellor, we will continue to treat with respect and joy everyone who comes to visit. That’s what we do best.”

Brazilian lawmaker Duda Salabert questioned Merz’s environmental credentials, stating: “There’s no way we can take seriously any leader who speaks about climate protection, but shows discomfort as he steps into the world’s biggest rainforest.”

Rio de Janeiro Mayor Eduardo Paes initially responded with harsh language, even calling Merz “a Nazi” among other insults, before deleting the comments from his social media account. “I have already vented out today. Everyone at the foreign office can be calm now,” Paes later wrote. “Long live the friendship between Brazil and Germany, which moves me!”

The German chancellery has not responded to requests for comment from The Associated Press regarding the controversy. Similarly, Brazil’s foreign office has declined to make public statements since the remarks began circulating on Sunday.

The incident highlights the complex dynamics of international climate diplomacy, where cultural sensitivities and regional pride can sometimes clash with diplomatic objectives. Belém’s selection as host city for the UN Climate Summit underscores Brazil’s strategic positioning of the Amazon region at the center of global climate discussions, making Merz’s perceived slight particularly unwelcome to Brazilian officials.