Weren’t we supposed to reset relations and engage in smart diplomacy? When do we actually start on the latter? Fresh off of snubbing the British, the Obama Administration has moved on to alienating the Brazilians.

Brazil has become a major U.S. trading partner, with cautious economic policies that have helped it weather the crisis better than almost all other major economies. With huge new offshore oil finds and abundant ethanol, Brazil could be key to helping wean the U.S. off Venezuelan crude and shift to cleaner energies.

Still, the White House made several moves interpreted as snubs by the Brazilian media.

Silva aides said the trip was pushed forward from Tuesday because of the St. Patrick’s Day holiday – making Latin America once again look like an afterthought. Then, the White House announcement misspelled his name as “Luis Ignacio” and put “Lula” – a nickname that decades ago became a legal part of the Brazilian leader’s name – in quotes.

The White House quickly corrected the mistake.

Maybe Obama will send him an extra DVD. From the discount bin, of course.