US still supports Brazil's membership to OECD: Trump

By Beyza Binnur Donmez

ANKARA (AA) - U.S. President Donald Trump on Thursday night said he supported Brazil since the beginning of the process for full membership of Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD).

His remarks came after a Bloomberg report reminded a U.S. State Department letter sent to OECD in August showed the U.S. withholding support for Brazil's current bid.

"In it, Secretary of State Michael Pompeo said that Washington only backed the membership candidacies of Argentina and Romania as part of the group’s enlargement effort. That came despite bids by Brazil and at least three other countries to join the intergovernmental economic group," the report said.

Calling the article "fake news", Trump wrote in a Twitter post: "The joint statement released with President [Jair] Bolsonaro in March makes absolutely clear that I support Brazil beginning the process for full OECD membership."

"The United States stands by that statement and stands by @jairbolsonaro," he added.

"Contrary to media reports, the United States, consistent with the March 19 Joint Statement from President @realDonaldTrump and President @jairbolsonaro, fully supports Brazil beginning the process to become a full member of the OECD," Pompeo also tweeted on Thursday.

Pompeo said that Washington welcomed Brazil’s ongoing efforts regarding economic reforms, best practices, and a regulatory framework in line with the standards of the OECD.

"The leaked letter does not accurately represent the United States' position with respect to OECD enlargement," he said, adding the U.S. will make "a strong effort" to support Brazil’s accession.

Brazil submitted its application for full OECD membership in May 2017.