News of mercosur

THE LAST SEVEN DAYS

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.

EDITORIAL

Is isolation the best expression of independence?

04-07-2020 08:32 The pandemic is a curious ally of ultra-nationalism, feeding the notion that Covid-19 will destroy globalisation and the private sector in a world dictating a self-sufficiency of which very few countries can even dream.

ANALYSIS

Sino-American dispute a looming threat for Argentina and Brazil

04-07-2020 07:57 The relationship between Buenos Aires and Brasilia is in intensive care and the lack of coordination between the two governments exposes the region to an external vulnerability – becoming a place where the US and China settle their differences.

by Leandro Dario

MERCOSUR’S VIRTUAL SUMMIT

Mercosur vows unity in face of pandemic, as Macron cools on trade deal

04-07-2020 07:49 President Alberto Fernández calls for unity in face of the coronavirus pandemic during virtual summit, as reports in France suggest Emmanuel Macron has gone cold on Mercosur-EU trade deal.

Mercosur negotiations

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.

OP-EDITORIAL

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.

CORONAVIRUS PANDEMIC

As virus cases surge, Brazil starts to worry its neighbours

02-05-2020 10:21 Local Argentine officials say they are particularly worried about truck traffic from Brazil, their top trading partner.

LATIN AMERICA MERCOSUR BLOC

Government says it’s not abandoning Mercosur, despite position on talks

02-05-2020 10:09 Foreign Minister Felipe Solá says Argentina is not “giving up its seat at the table.”

WEEK IN REVIEW

May 2-May 9: What we learned this week

02-05-2020 09:44 Key stories from the last seven days in Argentina that caught our eyes

MERCOSUR

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

FUTURE OF MERCOSUR?

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.

Mercosur trade talks

Mercosur talks complicated by Argentina's decision, says Paraguay

27-04-2020 12:59 With surprise on the part of the authorities and criticism from the industrial sector about the effectiveness of the economic integration project, the announcement by Argentina to abandon the negotiations being carried out by Mercosur was received in Paraguay.

MERCOSUR TRADE BLOC

Opposition slams government's decision to pull out of Mercosur trade talks

26-04-2020 09:34 Citing economic policy priorities and the effects of the Covid-19 crisis, President Alberto Fernandez’s administration has withdrawn from ongoing and future talks involving the Mercosur trade bloc.

Mercosur's integration

'Very important' nations seeking Mercosur trade deals, says Uruguay official

09-03-2020 13:45 Potential trade partners are pursuing regional commercial bloc after a sweeping deal with the European Union showed most of its members are open to business, says Ernesto Talvi.

Free Trade

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 FRONTIERS

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.

Bloomberg

Diplomatic dance: Solá heads to Brazil for meeting with Bolsonaro, Araujo

12-02-2020 08:15 Foreign minister hoping his Brazilian counterparts are also looking to turn a page, as region's top economics seek to heal diplomatic wounds.

TRADE TENSIONS

Mercosur braces for change amid calls for new trade rules

18-01-2020 09:19 Regional trade bloc faces uncertain future, with Argentina now in the minority and Uruguay and Brazil seeking the right to secure trade deals outside the bloc’s remit

by Fermin Koop

ARGENTINA-BRAZIL RELATIONS

Daniel Scioli: I’ll de-escalate tensions with Bolsonaro

10-12-2019 10:49 Argentina's next ambassador to Brazil vows support for Lula will not ruin the relationship between the two countries, as both nations will aim for a pragmatic relationship.

by Perfíl/ Rosario Ayerdi

Miguel Díaz-Canel

Cuban leader Díaz-Canel arrives in Argentina ahead of inauguration

09-12-2019 14:56 The first international leader to arrive in Buenos Aires for Tuesday's ceremonies is Miguel Díaz-Canel. Others will soon follow.

TRANSITION 2019

Bolsonaro says trade with Argentina will go on, despite Fernández

09-12-2019 13:30 Reports in the Brazilian press suggest Brazilian leader won't send a government minister to president-elect's inauguration.

MERCOSUR SUMMIT

Tensions loom large at Macri's final Mercosur summit

05-12-2019 18:14 Macri bids farewell to Mercosur at summit in Brazil, with regional bloc reeling from US steel and aluminum tariffs and tensions between Bolsonaro and Alberto Fernández.

FUTURE OF MERCOSUR?

Changing Mercosur bloc meets in Brazil after US tariffs blow

05-12-2019 07:26 Focus of bloc's 55th summit – the last for President Mauricio Macri – looked set to be the arrival of Alberto Fernández in office. The Mercosur now has more immediate concerns: Donald Trump.

Mercosur

Fernández promises 'pragmatic ties' with Brazil and Mercosur

29-11-2019 18:34 President-elect optimistic over Argentina-Brazil relations on Thursday after Brasilia says it has "no problems" with incoming leader. After a turbulent campaign, both sides have agreed to maintain "pragmatic" relations with each other.

URUGUAYAN ELECTIONS

Macri, Fernández seek 'excellent' relationship with Uruguay's next leader

29-11-2019 08:54 Alberto Fernández says relationship with conservative leader Luis Lacalle-Pou will be as good as if opponent Daniel Martínez had won election.

Mercosur 'Braxit'?

Brazil's economy minister: We have 'no problem' with Alberto Fernández

27-11-2019 12:43 At a conference in Washington, Economy Minister Paulo Guedes pours cold water on renewed speculation that Brazil could leave the Mercosur trade bloc when Alberto Fernández takes office.

Bloomberg

Bolsonaro's son calls for 'pragmatism' towards Argentina

21-11-2019 16:48 His approach varies greatly from that of his father, who has publicly eschewed the upcoming presidency of Argentina's Alberto Fernández

CRIME & SECURITY

Mercosur nations agree to let police cross borders in pursuit of criminals

07-11-2019 18:29 Security ministers from four nations agree deal in Foz de Iguaçu. However, accord must still be ratified by governments and legislatures of Argentina, Brazil, Paraguay and Uruguay.

BILATERAL RELATIONS

Bilateral spat between Bolsonaro and Fernández escalates yet again

06-11-2019 17:43 In the latest round of confrontation, outspoken Brazilian leader sends tweets about three companies allegedly closing their factory doors in Argentina – and now looks set to downgrade diplomatic representation at Alberto Fernández's inauguration.

BILATERAL RELATIONS

Spat with Brazil escalates as Bolsonaro says no to Fernández’s inauguration

01-11-2019 13:14 Outspoken Brazilian leader, who said that Argentines “chose poorly” in October's election, says won't be there when Alberto Fernandez is sworn in to office.

ALBERTO PRESIDENTE

Fernández to shift stances on Latin America, US, Venezuela, Brazil, China

29-10-2019 13:28 Fernández has signalled that Argentina will return to its alignment with the left-wing governments of Latin America. That could see closer ties with Mexico and Venezuela, and greater tensions with Brazil, the region’s biggest economy.

FOREIGN AFFAIRS

Arrival of Fernández set to deepen fragmentation in Latin America

29-10-2019 07:27 Peronist victory in Argentina's presidential election is set to cement a rift between region's largest nations, and suggests turbulence could extend for years.

Election 2019

Latin American leaders congratulate Fernández on victory – except Bolsonaro

28-10-2019 10:20 Fellow leftists regional leaders rally behind Alberto Fernandez, but Brazilian leader Jair Bolsonaro says he doesn't intend to congratulate Frente de Todos leader.

Argentina

Bolsonaro threatens Mercosur sanctions against Argentina if Fernández wins

24-10-2019 09:53 Outspoken Brazilian leader described potential Frente de Todos victory as “a threat to the Mercosur.”

EU-MERCOSUR TRADE DEAL

Austria rejects EU-Mercosur trade deal over Amazon fires

19-09-2019 09:49 Key committee in Austrian Parliament rejects draft free-trade agreement between EU and Mercosur over concerns about fires in the Amazon.

'Braxit'?

A Latin American Brexit? Analysing Brazil’s threat on Mercosur

16-09-2019 07:30 Jair Bolsonaro has said Brazil could leave Mercosur if Argentina, the second-largest economy in the customs union, pivots to the left after presidential elections in October. But how feasible is such a break?

AUTOMOBILE INDUSTRY

Government agrees new car pact with Brazil through 2029

07-09-2019 01:20 New automobile agreement will ‘consolidate Mercosur’ and improve integration, declares Production and Labour Minister Dante Sica.

BILATERAL RELATIONS

Brazil foreign minister views Alberto Fernández as a threat to Mercosur

03-09-2019 16:16 “It would be very frustrating, just as Mercosur enjoys its best moment in 30 years, to have an Argentine government that might bring setbacks,” says Foreign Minister Ernesto Araujo.

FROM A GLOBAL PERSPECTIVE

Braxit, as well as Brexit? Mercosur and Argentina

31-08-2019 01:00 It might be an exaggeration to talk of “Braxit” but Brazil has been conveying the impression that it has outgrown Mercosur throughout this century and not just now.

by Michael Soltys

MERCOSUR

Norway says timing of EFTA-Mercosur pact 'awful'

27-08-2019 12:45 Norway, which is part of European Free Trade Agreement (EFTA) grouping four non-EU members, on Tuesday regretted the "awful timing" of a trade pact with Mercosur, as fires rage in the Amazon.

KEY STORIES

Aug 19th-25th: What We Learned This Week

24-08-2019 09:14 What has caught out attention the past week?

TRADE DEALS

Mercosur reaches EFTA trade deal with European countries

23-08-2019 22:13 The agreement with the European Free Trade Association formed by Iceland, Norway, Switzerland and Liechtenstein, comes two months after Mercosur sealed a landmark trade deal with the European Union.

AMAZON IN FLAMES

Global outrage forces Bolsonaro to act, sending Army to contain Amazon fires

23-08-2019 16:01 Under increasing international pressure to contain record numbers of fires in the Amazon, Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro said Friday he might send the military to battle the massive blazes.

AMAZON IN FLAMES

Ireland may withold EU-Mercosur deal support over Amazon fires

23-08-2019 14:03 "There is no way that Ireland will vote for the EU-Mercosur Free Trade Agreement if Brazil does not honour its environmental commitments," says Prime Minister Leo Varadkar

OPINION

Leonid Bershidsky: The EU can push Bolsonaro to save the Amazon

23-08-2019 13:59 It’s appropriate for Macron, Merkel and other European leaders to reconsider the Mercosur trade agreement in response to Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro’s behaviour.

DEAL IN DOUBT

Macron: France won't back EU-Mercosur deal over Bolsonaro's climate 'lies'

23-08-2019 10:19 Outraged over the Amazon fires, French president brands Brazilian counterpart a liar and threatens to block EU-Mercosur trade deal "under these conditions."

PASO FALL-OUT

Alberto Fernández casts doubt over Mercosur's trade deal with European Union

13-08-2019 17:45 Frente de Todos leader questions European Union's trade deal with the South American trade bloc that was signed in June but not yet ratified.

TRADE DEALS

Trump says US to begin working on free-trade deal with Brazil

30-07-2019 15:46 “We’re going to work on a free-trade agreement with Brazil,” US president tells reporters in Washington

Mercosur summit

Piñera, Macri discuss dangers of populist 'snake charmers' in LatAm

18-07-2019 09:09 Mauricio Macri shares the stage with his Chilean par Sebastián Piñera at the Mercosur summit to discuss politics in Latin America.

Mercosur Summit

Mercosur calls for new elections in Venezuela at summit

17-07-2019 18:18 Brazilian president Jair Bolsonaro also borrowed a slogan from US President Donald Trump.