Even before he became US president, Joe Biden clashed with Brazil’s Jair Bolsonaro — but the leaders of the western hemisphere’s two most populous nations will try to set aside their differences in a first bilateral meeting this week that offers gains for both.

Ties have been strained since 2020 when Biden, still a candidate for the White House, threatened economic consequences against Brazil over the deforestation of the Amazon rainforest. Bolsonaro shot back that his country would respond with “gunpowder”. Then, as an ally and political soulmate of Donald Trump, he stalled more than one month before recognising Biden’s election victory.

Despite the uneasy relationship their planned meeting during the Summit of the Americas in Los Angeles — which several Latin American leaders are boycotting — will be a chance for each to boost their standing, analysts said.