News of trade

Spain: EU closer than ever to unlock Mercosur trade deal

10-03-2023 10:39 Spain is confident that the European Union can finally unlock a free-trade agreement with a group of South American countries, including Brazil and Argentina, and push forward a process that has dragged on for decades.

Macron warns EU-Mercosur deal hinges on environment

25-02-2023 15:30 French president says long-delayed trade deal between the EU and four Latin American nations "is not possible" if they do not follow European environmental policies.

EU, Mercosur accelerate trade deal against backdrop of Sino-American tussle

06-02-2023 10:44 For more than two decades, the European Union and Mercosur laboriously negotiated a trade deal they agreed but never signed. Now, both sides want to finalise it to create a necessary partnership amid the global dispute between the United States and China.

Mercosur seeking ‘revised agreement’ with EU, says Cafiero

01-02-2023 18:58 Foreign minister says ‘assymetries’ in deal must be resolved; Top EU officials pinpoint July summit in Brussels as potential completion date.

German Chancellor heads to Argentina with investment on agenda

27-01-2023 16:44 German Chancellor Olaf Scholz will stay in Argentina for 48 hours as part of a Latin American tour designed to secure the flow of raw materials for German industry and revitalise the EU-Mercosur agreement.

Lula and Fernández hail ‘new history’ as Argentina and Brazil reunite

27-01-2023 14:20 Brazil leader Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva underlined the significance of his visit to Argentina on Monday, declaring it marked “the beginning of a new history” between the two nations.

Brazil: Uruguay's agreement with China would 'destroy' Mercosur

23-01-2023 15:57 Free-trade agreement between Uruguay and China would destroy Mercosur by contradicting the bloc's integration policies, declares Brazilian Foreign Minister Mauro Vieira.

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

South American trade partners pile pressure on rebel Uruguay

05-12-2022 20:37 Three nations warn Uruguay’s move to chase trade deals without the agreement of its Mercosur partners risks undermining or rupturing customs union.

Mercosur’s future in balance as summit begins

05-12-2022 17:48 Argentina, Brazil and Paraguay reiterated their criticism of Uruguay on Monday over their partner’s willingness to negotiate agreements with countries outside the Mercosur bloc.

‘Latin America can feed more people,’ declares top EU official

27-10-2022 17:32 Foreign ministers from European Union and Latin American nations convene in Buenos Aires to strengthen multilateral ties.

EU ‘fully committed’ to Mercosur free-trade deal, says top official

24-10-2022 20:56 The European Union is “fully committed” to the stalled free-trade deal with the Mercosur bloc and must move ahead before “other actors intervene,” declares EU official Josep Borrell.

Pope 'heartbroken' over Texas shooting, condemns arms trade

25-05-2022 14:48 Argentine pontiff "heartbroken" by the school shooting in Texas that killed at least 19 children and two teachers.

Three decades after Pablo Escobar's death, drugs ravage Medellín

10-05-2022 17:03 Three decades after cartel boss Pablo Escobar was shot dead by police on a rooftop in Medellín, the very city he had sought to uplift with drug money is being ravaged by it, having become the epicentre of the domestic drug trade.

Ecuador’s President Guillermo Lasso to visit Argentina next week

15-04-2022 11:34 With the objective of expanding trade links with the region, Lasso will begin an official visit to Argentina Sunday and meet with President Alberto Fernández the following morning.

Government suspends soybean exports as prices rise

14-03-2022 13:09 Argentina's government announced on Monday it had suspended exports of soybean flour and oil amid rumours it's planning to hike taxes due to soaring primary material costs.

OECD opens accession talks with Argentina, Brazil and Peru

25-01-2022 19:00 OECD says it has opened “accession discussions” with six potential new members, including Argentina, Brazil and Peru.

Lunch with Putin in Russia, trips to China and Barbados – details emerge of president’s next trip

24-01-2022 22:16 President Alberto Fernández's upcoming tour will see him hold bilateral meetings with the leaders of Russia and China. A meeting with Barbados Prime Minister Mia Mottley has also been lined up, according to diplomatic sources.

'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.

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.