The leaders of the G7 – Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, the UK and the US – met in Biarritz, France last August 26. One of the summit’s topics was the devastating fires overtaking the Amazon rainforest. With an 80% increase of over 70,000 wildfires taking place within the rainforest, it was one of their most urgent talking points.
The 7 economies ultimately decided to pledge $22 million to the Brazilian government in aid. France’s President Macron also individually promised to “offer concrete support with military in the region”. However, Brazil’s President Jair Bolsonaro unequivocally refused these offers of aid on all accounts.
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(LOOK: The Burning of the Amazon Rainforest is so Bad, it Can be Seen from Space)
Bolsonaro explained that the refusal had to do with Macron accusing him of lying at a G20 summit in Osaka, Japan. Macron had reportedly called Bolsonaro a liar for failing his commitments to protect the climate and pursue biodiversity.
Bolsonaro announced to reporters this August 27: “Mr Macron must withdraw the insults that he made to my person. Firstly, he called me a liar. To talk or to accept anything from France, whether it be with the best possible intentions, he [Mr Macron] will have to withdraw those words and then we can talk.”
Bolsonaro’s chief of staff Onyx Lorenzoni told Globo, a local media outlet, that they “appreciate it, but maybe these resources would be put to better use reforesting Europe.” He then referenced the rift between Macron and Bolsonaro, commenting “Macron can’t even prevent a foreseeable fire in a church that is a world heritage site. What does he want to teach our country? He has plenty to take care of at home and in the French colonies.”
Despite the Brazilian government’s refusal of aid, Bolsonaro had previously attributed the slashing of the environmental fund to a lack of resources. He also claimed Brazil did not have enough funding to fight off the wildfires adequately. Still, Brazilian officials maintain that the aid is not needed on their part and simply a ploy from foreign powers to control the Amazon.
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