Joe Biden is set to make history as the first sitting U.S. president to visit the Amazon rainforest. He’ll briefly stop in Manaus, Brazil, on Sunday, a visit that coincides with expectations that the U.S. will lessen its climate change efforts under the incoming Trump administration.
The Amazon, which is roughly the size of Australia, holds a significant portion of the world’s carbon dioxide—a key contributor to climate change—even as deforestation continues.
During his visit, Biden plans to take an aerial tour of the world’s largest tropical rainforest, meet with local and indigenous leaders, and visit an Amazonian museum. This trip aims to emphasize his dedication to preserving the region.
Last year, Biden’s administration committed $500 million to the Amazon Fund, an international initiative to protect the rainforest, largely funded by Norway. So far, the U.S. has contributed $50 million, with a promise to work with Congress to secure the remaining funds through 2028.
Suely Araújo, former head of Brazil’s environmental protection agency and now with the nonprofit Climate Observatory, noted that Biden’s visit indicates his personal commitment, though she doubts it will result in concrete outcomes. She is skeptical that any further funds will be allocated to the Amazon Fund in the near future.
The incoming Trump administration is expected to deprioritize Amazon and climate-related issues. Trump has already announced plans to withdraw from the Paris Agreement, a global treaty aimed at preventing catastrophic climate change, reversing Biden’s recommitment to it. He has also dismissed climate change as a “hoax” and plans to reverse energy efficiency regulations established during Biden’s presidency.
Biden’s Amazon visit is part of a six-day tour of South America, the first of his presidency.
Earlier, he attended the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation summit in Lima, Peru, where he also met with Chinese President Xi Jinping. After Manaus, he will head to Rio de Janeiro for the G20 summit.
