U.S. confident Brazil can meet political, economic challenges: White House

U.S. President Barack Obama speaks at the newly-designated Belmont-Paul Women's Equality National Monument in Washington April 12, 2016.REUTERS/Kevin Lamarque

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - President Obama is optimistic about Brazil's ability to meet political and economic challenges in the wake of a recent International Monetary Fund assessment, the White House said on Tuesday. "The United States and President Obama himself have confidence in the durability of the Brazilian democracy to weather those challenges," said White House spokesman Josh Earnest. (Reporting by Alana Wise)