Donald Trump and Jair Bolsonaro, the US and Brazilian presidents, heaped praise on each other as the two rightwing leaders vowed to strengthen their countries’ economic and security ties and to work closely on returning crisis-stricken  Venezuela to democracy. 

Standing in bright sunshine outside the White House, Mr Trump on Tuesday predicted the two leaders would have “a fantastic working relationship” and had “many views that are similar”. Mr Bolsonaro, sometimes nicknamed the “Tropical Trump”, responded: “We share a great deal in common?.?.?.?I see a new chapter of co-operation.” 

Relations between the hemisphere’s two biggest democracies suffered from  mutual neglect while the leftwing Workers’ party, or PT, ruled Brazil. But Mr Trump and Mr Bolsonaro are apparent political soulmates, both elected on brash populist platforms that emphasised law and order issues.