Arlington, VA – 04/10/2012 – Arlington, Va., April 10, 2012 - As Brazilian President Dilma Rousseff traveled to Washington this week, the Consumer Electronics Association (CEA)® ran an ad in Roll Call and issued the following statement, attributable to CEA President and CEO Gary Shapiro: 

“It is time for the Obama Administration to reverse the harsh visa requirements for Brazilian tourists and include Brazil in the Visa Waiver Program, stimulating our own economy and advancing U.S.-Brazilian cooperation.

“Brazilians want to come to the U.S. to buy our products. On average, Brazilian tourists spend $5,000 on U.S. goods, including U.S. sales tax. That is nearly twice as much as French or British tourists.

“At the 2012 International CES, exhibitors benefitted from business discussions with more than 800 Brazilian executives who traveled to Las Vegas, despite having to wait an average 100 days to schedule an interview and obtain a U.S. travel visa. Imagine how many more Brazilian business leaders would come to trade events in America if these restrictions were removed.

“By not allowing easier travel access to Brazilians, the U.S. government is undermining the U.S. economy at a time when it should be supporting it. This is the time to promote and encourage U.S. economic growth, and including Brazil in the Visa Waiver Program would be a step in the right direction.”