Sign in

Michael Pooler

@michaelpooler.ft.com
6K followers 465 following 32 posts

Brazil correspondent for the Financial Times newspaper in São Paulo

PostsRepliesMedia
Michael Pooler @michaelpooler.ft.com · 04/10/2026
Brazil votes for its next president on Sunday. It may choose the son of hard-right former leader Jair Bolsonaro, who is jailed for plotting a coup. It would be the comeback of a political dynasty that blends conservatism and chaos. Here's my FT magazine story about them: as.ft.com/r/fe32f0d1-2...
as.ft.com
Scandal and succession in the House of Bolsonaro
Jair Bolsonaro is imprisoned for plotting a coup, leaving his eldest son to run against his old rival. Could Brazil’s first family of the radical right be on the verge of a comeback?
022
Michael Pooler @michaelpooler.ft.com · 08/07/2025
Trump accused the Brics of "anti-American" policies and threatened extra trade tariffs on its members Brazil's president Lula stood defiant, calling the remarks "very mistaken and irresponsible" “The world has changed. We don’t want an emperor. We are sovereign countries” Story: on.ft.com/45Y9ZP9
on.ft.com
Brics nations hit back at ‘emperor’ Donald Trump over tariff threats
[FREE TO READ] Host Brazil criticises US president as being ‘very irresponsible’ for vowing extra levies on states aligned to group
1133
Michael Pooler @michaelpooler.ft.com · 02/07/2025
Mexico and Brazil have held preliminary talks about deepening their existing trade agreement. An expanded deal between Latin America's two largest economies would help them diversify commercial links beyond the US and China, their main trading partners. Full story in the FT: on.ft.com/3Tn5o1n
on.ft.com
Mexico and Brazil seek deeper trade ties to expand beyond US and China
[FREE TO READ] Latin America’s top economies in talks to build on existing agreement
051
Michael Pooler @michaelpooler.ft.com · 18/06/2025
Brazil's billionaire beef barons are back A US share listing for JBS, the world's largest meatpacker, signalled the return of the Batista brothers following disgrace over a corruption scandal But they face sharp scrutiny - over its environmental impact & their political dealings on.ft.com/4jUKZLW
on.ft.com
The controversial return of Brazil’s billionaire beef barons
[FREE TO READ] The world’s largest meatpacker, JBS, listed in New York on Friday, marking a dramatic turnaround for the Batista brothers
141
Reposted by Michael Pooler
Joey Politano🏳️‍🌈 @josephpolitano.bsky.social · 15/05/2025
it’s amazing watching the gulf states have a competition to see who can come up with the highest made-up number. Saudis said $600B, Qataris $1.2T, now the Emiratis say $1.4T. All numbers that are way bigger than the countries’ entire economy or sovereign wealth funds
491134247
Michael Pooler @michaelpooler.ft.com · 05/05/2025
The Goldman of the Tropics wants Brazil to help feed the world Latin America's top investment banker Andre Esteves told us about his plan for BTG Pactual to take on the globe's biggest commodity trading houses Another bold move by the billionaire former bond trader Full article on.ft.com/4iTokiD
on.ft.com
‘Goldman of the Tropics’ wants to help Brazil feed the world
[FREE TO READ] BTG Pactual aims to be one of main commodities players as it boosts its presence in Asia
120
Reposted by Michael Pooler
Alan Beattie @alanbeattie.bsky.social · 17/04/2025
My Trade Secrets today. It's a longstanding American grievance that predates Trump: US companies can't sell cars in Europe & elsewhere because of evil trade barriers. It's actually because US protectionism has encouraged its carmakers to make clunky great gas-guzzlers no one else wants to buy.
on.ft.com
Trump’s auto tariffs build on a long destructive history
[FREE TO READ] It is US protectionism rather than trade barriers abroad that has undermined American carmakers
41435145
Michael Pooler @michaelpooler.ft.com · 01/04/2025
The upcoming trial of rightwing populist Jair Bolsonaro for an alleged coup plot has divided Brazil. What is the prosecution's case - and what does it mean for Latin America's largest democracy? These questions we examine in today's big read in the Financial Times (free link): on.ft.com/42ew9ZZ
on.ft.com
The risky trial of Jair Bolsonaro
[FREE TO READ] Brazilian authorities want justice over an alleged coup plot, but the case against the former president risks boosting his popularity — and dividing the country
240
Michael Pooler @michaelpooler.ft.com · 25/03/2025
Brazil's ex president Jair #Bolsonaro, accused of plotting a coup, told us the country needs "support from abroad" to prevent a slide into dictatorship "American help is welcome," said the rightwinger, in an appeal to the Trump administration. If guilty he faces years in prison on.ft.com/420XPRR
on.ft.com
Brazil’s Jair Bolsonaro calls for foreign help in overture to Donald Trump
[FREE TO READ] Hard-right former president faces charges of plotting coup against Lula and could spend rest of life in jail
182
Michael Pooler @michaelpooler.ft.com · 23/02/2025
Citizens of the world's largest coffee producer are unhappy about the rising price of the drink. And many are blaming their president The cost of a morning brew in Brazil has become symbolic of complaints about grocery bills that are hitting the popularity of leftist leader Lula on.ft.com/4hOMJpO
on.ft.com
Decaffeinated Brazilians blame Lula for surging cost of morning brew
[FREE TO READ] Food inflation weighs on the ratings of leftwing leader of Latin America’s largest nation
050
Reposted by Michael Pooler
Martin Calladine @uglygame.bsky.social · 26/01/2025
No, I don't need a bloody copilot for this document, thank you. Writing is, in no small part, a tool for thinking. If you outsource that element to a machine that cannot think, you shouldn't be surprised if, at the end of the process, neither you nor your reader are any the wiser.
326136201954
Michael Pooler @michaelpooler.ft.com · 24/01/2025
Yikes…first time I’ve ever received one of these weather alerts. Seems like São Paulo is in for a heavy storm this afternoon
020
Michael Pooler @michaelpooler.ft.com · 10/12/2024
Brazil's president Lula was rushed by plane for emergency brain surgery last night It was linked to a fall at home in October. The 79 year-old's doctors say he's recovering well in intensive care But it raises doubts about whether the leftwinger will stand for re-election in 2026 on.ft.com/4f6yVEY
on.ft.com
Brazilian president Lula in intensive care after emergency brain surgery
[FREE TO READ] Government says country’s leader is recovering well in São Paulo hospital
031
Michael Pooler @michaelpooler.ft.com · 09/12/2024
great story by @msavarese.bsky.social on Memphis Depay, who helped turn around Corinthians' season The Dutchman was to key 9 consecutive league wins that transformed relegation fears into Libertadores qualification As a Man Utd fan I was v sceptical at first. No longer! apnews.com/article/depa...
apnews.com
Depay changes fortunes for Corinthians and becomes the most popular player in Brazil
Memphis Depay has quickly become the most beloved soccer player in Brazil despite not speaking the local language or playing with the kind of swagger as kids from Rio de Janeiro's beaches.
140
Michael Pooler @michaelpooler.ft.com · 05/12/2024
Well that feels like a long time ago
140
Michael Pooler @michaelpooler.ft.com · 03/12/2024
I have an impersonator on Bluesky. The fraudster has stolen my pic, replicated my posts and is spamming people with crypto scams I've already reported it to the platform but the account still exists @bsky.app @safety.bsky.app Please can you take action? Here it is: bsky.app/profile/mich...
bsky.app
280
Michael Pooler @michaelpooler.ft.com · 01/12/2024
Good question…just last week I spoke to someone close to the Brics bank leadership and they said the currency idea is just that, a long way from becoming reality
051
Michael Pooler @michaelpooler.ft.com · 22/11/2024
Elon Musk fought with Brazil's Supreme Court - and lost Now a Chinese state-backed company plans to challenge the billionaire's Starlink by launching its own satellite internet service in the Latin nation Deal was announced on the eve of president Xi's state visit to Brasília on.ft.com/3CD639M
on.ft.com
Chinese satellite company to challenge Elon Musk’s Starlink in Brazil
[FREE TO READ] Billionaire Trump ally had clashed with Brasília this year over alleged misinformation on X
050
Michael Pooler @michaelpooler.ft.com · 22/11/2024
crazy revelations from Brazilian police this week First they detail an alleged assassination plot targeting Lula, weeks before he took office Suspects also planned to kill his deputy and a top judge, say police 5 were arrested over the aborted scheme, incl. military personnel on.ft.com/493GiM7
on.ft.com
Brazil arrests five military and police officers over alleged plot to kill Lula
[FREE TO READ] Federal police say group had eyed killings of then president-elect along with his deputy and a supreme court judge
130
Reposted by Michael Pooler
Bruno Predolin @pagalanxe.bsky.social · 14/11/2024
como dão a notícia da morte de um terrorista versus a notícia da morte de artista consagrado
12774622181
Reposted by Michael Pooler
Paul McNamara @mpaulmcnamara.bsky.social · 14/11/2024
This is perfect. Ht @fiveminutemacro.bsky.social who you should definitely follow.
07328
Michael Pooler @michaelpooler.ft.com · 14/11/2024
The EU parliament just voted to in effect exempt countries in the bloc from a ban on agricultural commodities linked to deforestation Farmers in countries like Brazil that are targeted by the law aren’t happy They say it proves the legislation is discriminatory. Our article: on.ft.com/4fLZOyJ
on.ft.com
EU backs ‘loophole’ for member states facing deforestation law
[FREE TO READ] Proposed change set to inflame tensions with Brazil and other big agricultural producers over controversial rule
030
Michael Pooler @michaelpooler.ft.com · 13/11/2024
Lula wants Brazil to have a bigger role in world affairs, with attempts to play peacemaker and climate champion. But his comments on Ukraine & Israel have dismayed the West. What is the Latin democracy's place in a fracturing world? Can it be a bridge between opposing camps? on.ft.com/4fN8gxw
on.ft.com
Brazil’s global balancing act is trickier than ever
[FREE TO READ] President Lula has sought to maintain ties with the US, China and Russia. But even before the re-election of Donald Trump, that diplomatic space was shrinking
071
Michael Pooler @michaelpooler.ft.com · 13/11/2024
Now that I've gained more than a thousand followers on BlueSky practically overnight, thanks to @bondhack.bsky.social, figure I had better start posting!
140
Reposted by Michael Pooler
Marcelo Soares @msoares.bsky.social · 27/10/2024
Fiz um starter pack com o que eu acho que vale mais a pena ler no Brasil. Ainda não está tudo lá, estou incluindo mais coisas. Siga todos os que ainda não segue. Colabore com os que puder.
47570127
Reposted by Michael Pooler
Robert Smith @bondhack.ft.com · 12/11/2024
I couldn't see an overall starter pack for FT journalists active on Bluesky. So given the recent influx of new people on here, I thought it'd be useful to make one. Do shout out all the people I've inevitably missed and I'll update go.bsky.app/FuqnwdD
27291118
Michael Pooler @michaelpooler.ft.com · 12/11/2024
Brazil has a gambling habit. And it threatens to hurt the economy. Online betting has exploded since it was legalised in the Latin American nation. But there are warnings of an addiction epidemic, with impacts for consumer spending and debt, especially among the poor. Our story: on.ft.com/3UKktLx
on.ft.com
Brazil’s growing gambling habit threatens to hit economy
[FREE TO READ] Explosion of online sports betting in South American nation sparks warnings about its damaging impact
020
Reposted by Michael Pooler
Joshua J. Friedman @joshuajfriedman.com · 15/10/2024
Lillian Schwartz, pioneer of computer-generated art, 1927–2024 (video clip from "Enigma," 1972, via Robert Beatty)
516737
Michael Pooler @michaelpooler.ft.com · 15/09/2024
São Paulo had the worst air quality in the world this week, caused by wildfires raging across Brazil You could really feel it, even with windows shut &avoiding time outside As the Amazon rainforest burns, the smoke drifting across the country is a wake-up call to climate change on.ft.com/3XtOKPi
on.ft.com
Wildfires sweep Amazon as Brazil suffers worst drought on record
[FREE TO READ] Destruction of forest combined with low rainfall exacerbate effects of climate change
02212
Michael Pooler @michaelpooler.ft.com · 10/09/2024
Have you noticed an increase in the price of orange juice lately? An historic drought and plant disease in Brazil, the world's largest OJ supplier, has led futures markets to an all-time high The smaller crop is causing pain for citrus growers and soft-drinks companies alike on.ft.com/3XibOjL
on.ft.com
Orange juice squeezed by Brazilian drought
[FREE TO READ] Futures prices are almost three times above those of two years ago as crop disease hits yields
050
Michael Pooler @michaelpooler.ft.com · 08/09/2024
Who’s afraid of Elon Musk? Not Alexandre de Moraes, the Brazilian Supreme Court justice who banned the billionaire’s social media site X last week. The controversial judge is on a crusade against disinformation, but critics accuse him of censorship & political bias. My profile: on.ft.com/3Xxb77E
on.ft.com
Alexandre de Moraes, the steely Brazilian judge facing down Musk
[FREE TO READ] Already known for his battles with Bolsonaro, his ban on X has pitched him into the centre of a new fight
061
Michael Pooler @michaelpooler.ft.com · 02/09/2024
X is now banned in Brazil, so here I am
020