News of mercosur

Disputes loom over Mercosur bloc ahead of presidential summit

07-07-2021 15:44 Trade disagreements are once again dominating talks within the Mercosur trade bloc, with videoconference meetings ahead of this week’s presidential summit making little headway on the issue.

Rights groups slam government for failing to back OAS vote on Nicaragua

18-06-2021 23:16 Human Rights Watch and Amnesty International strongly criticise Argentina’s government for abstaining in OAS vote condemning Nicaragua's jailing of opposition leaders.

Rafael Bielsa: ‘Alberto Fernández is very far from being a puppet’

10-04-2021 07:42 Rafael Bielsa, Argentina’s current Ambassador to Chile, on the pandemic, the president, Peronism and bilateral relations.

by Jorge Fontevecchia

Second wave jitters

03-04-2021 08:39 Covid cases in Argentina are picking up faster than ever amid fears of a second wave. It could be punishing for the government if the second wave turns ugly.

by Martín Gambarotta

Mercosur’s murky future

27-03-2021 07:27 Mercosur will have problems selling itself to the rest of the world while it cannot sell to itself.

by Michael Soltys

Thirty years on since its founding, Mercosur faces uncertain future

27-03-2021 07:17 Regional bloc celebrates its 30th birthday weakened by differences, with its partners unprepared for post-pandemic world.

Bolsonaro in Buenos Aires: Brazil leader says yes to Mercosur summit

05-03-2021 02:39 Brazilian leader Jair Bolsonaro confirms he will travel to Buenos Aires on March 26 for the Mercosur summit, setting up his first face-to-face encounter with President Alberto Fernández.

Brazil again pushes for loosening of Mercosur trade deal rules

27-02-2021 08:21 Bolsonaro set to visit Buenos Aires for trade bloc’s next summit; Brazilian foreign minister accuses ‘interest groups’ using the environment as ‘pretext’ to block ratification of EU-Mercosur deal.

Without environmental guarantees, EU-Mercosur trade deal faces uncertain future

23-11-2020 15:51 Historic free-trade agreement between the European Union and the Mercosur regional bloc, announced more than a year ago after more than two decades of negotiations, stuck in limbo due to environmental concerns.

EU parks trade deal with Mercosur over environmental concerns

17-10-2020 09:56 More than 15 months ago, then-president Mauricio Macri hailed the sealing of the Mercosur bloc’s historic trade agreement with the European Union. Today, as European nations express environmental concerns, ratification isn’t even close to starting.

by Fermin Koop

France says opposes EU-Mercosur trade deal over deforestation concerns

18-09-2020 10:38 France opposed to free-trade deal in its current form due to "major" concerns about deforestation in the region, the government said on Friday.

Lacalle Pou says EU-Mercosur deal 'advances' but not at 'expected speed'

03-09-2020 01:05 Uruguayan leader’s comments just the latest in a series indicating that momentum for the accord has slowed.

EU watchdog opens probe into Mercosur trade deal

10-07-2020 12:16 EU Ombudsman Emily O’Reilly confirms investigation will be opened into historic trade deal with Mercosur, after environmental and rights groups complained that the deal does not respect the EU’s legal obligations.

What we learned this week: June 27 to July 4

04-07-2020 08:40 Stories that caught our eye over the last seven days in Argentina.

Argentina on board for Mercosur trade talks after 'gradual change in discourse'

10-05-2020 10:00 A teleconference this Thursday assessed the courses of action on the Mercosur negotiations already concluded with the European Union, the ongoing negotiations with Canada, Korea, Singapore and Lebanon, and the deepening of agreements already signed with Israel and India.

Voluntary isolation

02-05-2020 11:09 With a trade volume of just over 30 percent of its economy, Argentina already ranks among the seven most- closed economies in the world – shutting it down yet further does not look like the way ahead.

More flexible trade rules await Mercosur after Argentina pullout

02-05-2020 08:46 Customs union or free-trade zone? ‘Big changes; could be on way for the Mercosur after government decides to walk away from future trade talks.

by Fermin Koop

EU 'welcomes' Argentina's commitment to Mercosur free-trade deal

28-04-2020 23:58 European Union pleased that Argentina remains engaged in talks over long-awaited free-trade deal, despite decision to withdraw from all future Mercosur trade talks.

EU believes Argentina and Mercosur will ratify agreement

26-02-2020 15:17 Brussels maintains that the free trade agreement is "very balanced" and will boost the growth of the economy.

Uruguay's president-elect Lacalle Pou eager to attract foreigners

25-02-2020 18:41 Luis Lacalle Pou expresses determination to open up borders, so that thousands of foreigners can settle in his country. Uruguay's incoming leader also says nation will change position on Venezuela crisis.