News of bloc

EU explores options to tackle Latin America’s green deal worries

20-04-2023 17:34 Mercosur members Argentina, Brazil, Uruguay and Paraguay have expressed concerns about the impact of the European Green Deal.

FOREIGN POLICY

Argentina officially rejoins Unasur, Brazil to follow suit

06-04-2023 00:36 Alberto Fernández announces that Argentina has officially rejoined the Unasur regional bloc during visit to Santiago; Brazil will follow suit, says president, who wants to convince Chilean leader Gabriel Boric to do the same.

FOREIGN POLICY & DIPLOMACY

Fernández announces Argentina's return to UNASUR

22-03-2023 15:46 President Alberto Fernández has confirmed Argentina's re-entry into the UNASUR political bloc, almost five years on from its controversial departure.

Future of BRICS bloc

BRICS debates expansion as Iran, Saudi Arabia seek entry

15-02-2023 11:41 The proposal to expand BRICS will be one of the economic bloc’s main focuses this year, with Iran and Saudi Arabia among those who’ve formally asked to join.

German chancellor in Buenos Aires

Fernández, Scholz meet with trade, investment, lithium on agenda

29-01-2023 10:56 Alberto Fernández and Olaf Scholz call for swift approval of stalled free-trade deal between the European Union and the Mercosur bloc; Two leaders ink agreements on lithium, investment and renewable energy.

FOREIGN POLICY

Brazil rejoins CELAC as Lula confirms presence at summit

13-01-2023 13:13 Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, who has confirmed Brazil will rejoin the CELAC bloc, has confirmed that he will travel to Buenos Aires later this month.

PRESIDENT ON MERCOSUR

President: ‘Agricultural protectionism’ blocking EU-Mercosur deal

01-01-2023 03:00 President Alberto Fernández on tensions within the Mercosur, the future of the regional trade bloc and what is really blocking its controversial free-trade deal with the European Union.

by Jorge Fontevecchia

MERCOSUR TRADE BLOC

Mercosur members avoid rupture at summit as leaders voice concerns

07-12-2022 00:55 Summit ends with parties reiterating their differences over free-trade deals, as President Alberto Fernández accuses Uruguay’s Luis Lacalle Pou of wanting to ‘break up’ the Mercosur trade bloc.

REGIONAL TRADE BLOC

Mercosur tensions rise as Uruguay seeks trade deal outside bloc

03-12-2022 08:19 Uruguay's move to join one of Asia's biggest pacts marks a rupture after years of Montevideo seeking a more open approach to international commerce by the group.

MERCOSUR TRADE BLOC

Mercosur in open conflict ahead of summit showdown

01-12-2022 14:03 President Alberto Fernández joins forces with Brazil’s Jair Bolsonaro and Paraguay’s Mario Abdo Benítez to formally complain over Uruguay’s move to sign trade deals without approval from partners; Next week’s Mercosur summit will be "entertaining," jokes Luis Lacalle Pou, with regional trade bloc set for showdown.

EUROPEAN POLITICS

'Hamstrung' Europe searches for a post-Merkel leader

28-12-2021 10:15 Angela Merkel's departure from the political stage after 16 years as chancellor has not only ushered in a new era in Germany but also shaken up the power balance in the European Union.

Mercosur summit

Argentina, Brazil and Paraguay agree to review Mercosur tariffs

17-12-2021 18:08 Argentina, Brazil and Paraguay agree to continue “modernisation” of bloc and review common external tariff at virtual summit – but without Uruguay's agreement.

Mercosur tensions

Argentina, Paraguay agree to review Mercosur's common external tariff

15-10-2021 20:33 Argentina and Paraguay agree to review Mercosur’s Common External Tariff – an issue that has sparked tensions within the trade bloc.

TRADE BLOC TENSIONS

Argentina, Brazil agree to reduce Mercosur's Common External Tariff

08-10-2021 19:43 Brazil and Argentina agree to reduce Mercosur's common external tariff by 10% "on a very broad universe of products."

MERCOSUR TENSIONS

Brazil’s Guedes lets rip at Argentina, vows to ‘modernise’ Mercosur

01-10-2021 01:37 Brazilian Economy Minister Paulo Guedes says Argentina should "withdraw" from the Mercosur if President Alberto Fernández's government feels "uncomfortable" with Brasilia's plans to "modernise" the South American trade bloc.

MERCOSUR TENSIONS

Lacalle Pou: Uruguay and China in talks over bilateral free-trade deal

08-09-2021 16:28 Uruguayan President Luis Lacalle Pou says his government is “in a hurry” to close a FTA with China – a development that’s sure to increase tensions with other Mercosur member states.

PRESIDENTIAL MEETING

President Fernández to host Lacalle Pou amid Mercosur tensions

12-08-2021 14:39 Alberto Fernández will host Luis Lacalle Pou at the Olivos presidential residence on Friday, with tensions over Mercosur's future likely to be discussed.

Mercosur in crisis

Felipe Solá: Brazil's 'hostile attitude has killed debate within Mercosur'

22-07-2021 22:01 Argentina’s foreign minister slams Brazilian government during visit to Rio to mark 30th anniversary of nuclear accord between two nations.

MERCOSUR IN DISARRAY

Cracks emerge in Mercosur trade bloc as Uruguay looks to go it alone

09-07-2021 03:18 Deep cracks emerge in Mercosur trade bloc, as Uruguayan President Luis Lacalle Pou says he wants to negotiate trade deals without approval from other member nations.

MERCOSUR IN DISARRAY

Mercosur’s glitch-plagued summit puts spotlight on trade divide

09-07-2021 02:58 Luis Lacalle Pou's new trade strategy unable to win broad support among bloc's members. Parallel initiative backed by Brazil and Uruguay to reduce Mercosur's common external tariff also fails to advance.