Brazil wants to be a better friend to Florida, and the United States should take steps to help make that friendship mutual.

One might make the argument that Brazil is already one of Florida’s best pals; more than a million Brazilians visited our state in 2010, and those visitors spent around $1.4 billion here. The United Kingdom, which leads all overseas nations in terms of visitors to Florida, sent around 1.3 million of its citizens here during that same year, but they only spent about half the money spent by Brazilians.

(Our very best friends are the Canadians. Canada sends the most visitors, and they spend the most money here.)

But the number of Brazilian visitors would increase significantly and quickly if the United States made a fairly quick and easy adjustment to policies that apply to visitors from other countries. Both countries would benefit immediately from that change, and Florida in particular would reap enormous benefits.

Currently, the citizens of 36 foreign nations can travel to the United States without having to obtain visas. The citizens of Brazil, unfortunately, are not extended that privilege. To be fair, Brazil requires U.S. citizens to obtain visas in order to visit — a policy that should also be changed.

There are only four U.S. consulates in Brazil, a country that is about the same geographic size as the United States. Brazilians who want to visit the United States must apply for an appointment at one of those consulates, then wait as much as 130 days for a meeting. Then, they must travel to the consulate, which can be hundreds of miles away.

The visa process is complex, time-consuming and expensive. It deters many Brazilians from coming here.

Florida tourism officials estimate that dropping this visa requirement could immediately double the number of Brazilian tourists. That should mean more than $1 billion in additional spending by Brazilians visiting Florida, revenue the state sorely needs.

And it is not simply about tourists.

Brazil’s economy has been on fire for the past decade, in spite of the global recession. Its economy is ranked seventh in the world, and the nation is a great trade partner of the United States in general and the state of Florida in particular. And it’s getting stronger:

• Brazil is the largest economy in South America.

• Brazil’s total trade with the United States in 2010 totaled $59 billion; $13.9 billion of that was with South Florida.

• South Florida is the home of 15 Brazilian multinational companies, including Odebrecht Construction, Banco do Brasil and Embraer Aircraft Holding.

• The Port of Miami serves 14 Brazilian ports, and Miami International Airport offers flights to six Brazilian cities.

Growing economic power means growing political power. As Brazil becomes stronger and more influential, both in the Western Hemisphere and globally, some Americans become more uncomfortable with its newfound power and influence.

But the United States will be in a better position to influence Brazilian policies if the relationship between the two countries is stronger. And since Brazil holds about $160 billion in U.S. bonds, it has a great interest in our nation’s future financial health.

There are strong indications that American leaders understand the benefits of a healthy U.S.-Brazil relationship. President Obama traveled there earlier this year for talks with Brazil’s new president, Dilma Rousseff. And Florida Gov. Rick Scott just took a week-long trade mission to Brazil, heading up a delegation of almost 200 Florida leaders and business people.

But simply wooing business and trade partners isn’t enough. We won’t be successful if we ask people to do business with us while putting obstacles in their path.

Removing the visa barrier would stimulate visitors to our country and, especially, to our state. It would encourage trade, and would send a strong signal that the U.S. values its relationship with Brazil. Best of all, it would cost nothing.

It is a policy change that should happen now.

Glenn Cooper is a partner with the statewide law firm of Fowler White Boggs in the firm’s Fort Lauderdale office and a member of the International Committee of the Florida Chamber of Commerce.