Brazil is presenting itself with confidence at the Hannover Messe, the world’s largest trade fair for the manufacturing industry, opening on April 20 in Hannover, Germany.
“We want to show that Brazil is not only an agricultural powerhouse, but also a global player in industrial technology,” said Patricia Gomes of the Brazilian Trade and Investment Promotion Agency. The aim is to position Brazil as a leader in green, digital and resilient industries such as renewable energy and electric mobility.
A focus on energy and technology
Brazil is already a regional leader in Latin America for electric mobility and the expansion of smart charging infrastructure. Last year, 224,000 electric vehicles were registered in the country — roughly 40% more than the previous year. That growth aligns with one of the fair’s central themes: energy efficiency and energy technology.
“Given the current geopolitical situation, topics such as energy supply, infrastructure resilience and alternative energy solutions are gaining additional relevance,” trade fair spokesperson Onuora Ogbukagu said. “Energy security is increasingly coming into focus.”
Mercosur free trade deal has raised hopes
Around 4,000 companies from 60 countries are exhibiting at Hannover, including major global firms. Brazil alone is represented by more than 300 companies. The EU–Mercosur free trade agreement between the EU and Brazil, Argentina, Paraguay and Uruguay is set to provisionally enter into force on May 1 after more than 25 years of negotiation — a development expected to boost trade.
“It can be expected that mechanical engineering will benefit strongly from the Mercosur agreement,” said Yvonne Heidler, a trade expert at the German Engineering Federation (VDMA). German machinery exports to the four Mercosur countries could rise from the current €3.5 billion to as much as €5 billion by 2040, she said.
Iran war clouds economic outlook
These prospects contrast with a challenging global economic backdrop. An Ifo Institute business climate survey found that 78.6% of German companies reported in March they are struggling to assess future business development. The war in and around Iran has “noticeably increased uncertainty in the German economy,” Klaus Wohlrabe, head of Ifo’s surveys, said, with uncertainty especially pronounced in industry.
Economic forecasts are modest worldwide. Among the five largest economies — the US, China, Germany, Japan and India — only India recently recorded growth above 6%. China aims for about 4.5% growth this year but has slowed, and Brazil is not a major growth driver: the central bank expects GDP growth of around 1.6% in 2026, down from 2.3% last year. Many economists warn that forecasts remain uncertain because of Middle East conflicts and their effects on prices and demand.
“Being a little bit Brazilian” in Germany
Despite headwinds, there are bright spots. Brazil’s electric mobility sector is expanding, benefiting companies such as German connectivity and charging specialist Harting; drive-technology leader SEW Eurodrive; and Brazilian electric-motor and charging-system maker WEG, which is showcasing its products in Hannover.
ROMI, Brazil’s largest machine-tool manufacturer, posted around 8% growth in 2025 and now operates two of its 13 production sites in Germany after acquiring German maker Burkhardt+Weber in 2012. “I’m sure our colleagues in Germany enjoy being a little bit Brazilian,” ROMI head Luiz Cassiano Rosolen said, adding that back in Brazil the firm is proud to count the “Porsche of machine toolmakers” among its brands.
President Lula and German Chancellor Friedrich Merz will officially open the industrial trade fair. The two leaders met briefly at the COP30 UN climate summit in Belém in November 2025; Merz spent just 21 hours in the city and later made disparaging remarks about the visit, but Hannover will give both more time to work on German‑Brazilian relations.
This article was originally written in German.