Boeing and Embraer have already engaged in other cooperative agreements. In July 2011 they announced plans to jointly fund an analysis of opportunities to produce sustainable aviation jet fuel from sugarcane. In March 2012, Boeing, Embraer and Airbus announced a memorandum of understanding to work together on the development of drop-in, affordable aviation biofuels. (Earlier post.)

Frederico Curado, President and CEO of Embraer S.A., and Jim Albaugh, President and CEO of Boeing Commercial Airplanes, signed the new agreement during the visit of Brazil’s President to the United States and following the annual meeting of the US-Brazil CEO Forum, a public-private partnership between the United States and Brazilian Governments which brings together chief executive officers from both countries.

The announcement by Embraer and Boeing was made on the same day as the signing by the governments of Brazil and the United States of a Memorandum of Understanding on the Aviation Partnership, to expand and deepen cooperation between the two countries on civil aviation, by facilitating the liaison between government agencies and increase private sector cooperation and awareness, creating economic partnerships and promoting investments.

Embraer has had a corporate presence in the US for more than 3 decades and last year started manufacturing activities at its facility in Melbourne, Florida, where it is currently assembling executive jets. More recently, Embraer announced the creation of the Embraer Engineering and Technology Center USA to conduct research and development activities for both product and technology development across Embraer’s business lines.