BRASILIA, Aug. 13 -- U.S. Defense Secretary James Mattis on Monday began a visit to Brazil, where he spoke with government representatives about continued military cooperation.
His visit is part of a four-nation swing through South America that will include stops in Chile, Argentina and Colombia.
On Monday morning, Mattis first met with Brazil's Foreign Relations Minister Aloysio Nunes, and then Defense Minister Joaquim Silva.
On the agenda were alternatives for advancing cooperation in technical, scientific, political-military and defense industry areas.
Mattis is also set to meet with individuals from the defense industry and political-military areas to increase bilateral cooperation.
According to the U.S. Department of Defense, Mattis will give a talk at the Superior School of War and pay a visit to the national monument honoring Brazilian military members who were killed in World War II.
Although Brazil and the United States don't have a military alliance, when it comes to defense and weapons, the United States is one of the largest importers of products from Brazil.
The U.S. government is currently negotiating the purchase of 300 Embraer EMB-314 planes known as Super Tucano, a type of turboprop light attack aircraft.