Improvement of Brazilian economy depends on U.S. growth: Rousseff

Any improvement of Brazil's economy will depend on the U.S growth, Brazilian President Dilma Rousseff said in a televised interview Monday.

"We must see how the crisis is going to evolve," Rousseff said. "If the U.S. evolves well, I believe Brazil can enter a new phase, with less need for stimulus."

According to the president, if the situation improves, Brazil will be able to change its economic policy from a prudent stance that focuses on securing jobs and investment to a more proactive one.

Some of Brazil's biggest trading partners in South America are going through a difficult time, added Rousseff.

The president also distanced herself from a scandal involving the former director of state oil giant Petrobras, Paulo Roberto Costa, who was recently arrested and laid bare corruption within the company in exchange for leniency.

Rousseff reaffirmed she had known nothing about the wrongdoing in Petrobras, adding Costa was considered qualified to lead the company at the time of his nomination.