U.S. ship operators will gain greater access to Brazil’s government cargo business while Brazil’s carriers seeking access to U.S. markets will be assured equal treatment, under an agreement signed today by U.S. Transportation Secretary Norman Y. Mineta and Brazilian Ambassador Roberto Abdenur in Washington, D.C. “Free trade helps everyone – shippers, carriers and most of all consumers,” Secretary Mineta said. The new agreement requires both sides to provide equal treatment for the other’s carriers in maritime-related services and facilities, including shipping taxes. It also provides unlimited access for U.S.-flag carriers to government-controlled cargoes whose shipments are arranged by the Brazilian government…