Obama starts Latin America trip in Brazil

BRASILIA, Brazil -- Seeking to link his Latin American tour to job growth back home, President Barack Obama said yesterday the United States was eager to sell its goods and services to booming Brazil's growing middle class. The president's economic message, however, was overshadowed by events in Libya, where a western coalition launched its first attacks against Moammar Gadhafi.

After an early morning arrival in Brazil's capital, Obama held meetings with newly elected President Dilma Rousseff, then addressed a joint meeting of U.S. and Brazilian business leaders. He praised Brazil's economic ascent, and said American workers stood to benefit from increased ties with the world's seventh-largest economy.

"As the United States looks to Brazil, we see the chance to sell more goods and services to a rapidly-growing market of around 200 million consumers," Obama said. "For us, this is a jobs strategy." Executives from a number of American corporations, including International Paper, Cargill, Citigroup and Coca-Cola, participated in the chief executive session.

Rousseff extended a warm welcome to Obama, citing his role as the first African American president and hers as the first female Brazilian president as evidence of nations overcoming barriers. She said that of all U.S. presidents who have visited Brazil, "You are the one that sees our country in the most vibrant moment."

Still, Rousseff made no effort to hide her frustration with the resistance Brazil has faced in becoming a permanent member of the United Nations Security Council and appealed for Obama's help for changes there.

In a joint statement, Obama and Rousseff said the Security Council needs to reform and voiced support for a "modest expansion" that adds representation.

Rousseff also chafed at U.S. policies that have imposed tariffs on Brazilian goods, including ethanol and cotton, and appealed for concrete action to improve the economic ties.