TRADE & FOREIGN POLICY China, Brazil strike deal to ditch dollar for trade 30-03-2023 14:36 China and Brazil have reached a deal to trade in their own currencies, ditching the US dollar as an intermediary, the Brazilian government said Wednesday.
KEY GEOPOLITICAL VISIT Seeking a reset, Brazil's Lula heads to China 24-03-2023 08:30 Brazil President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva begins a state visit to China this weekend, with the aim of reinforcing commercial relations and promoting a peace plan in Ukraine on the agenda.
WORLD POLITICS Xi reboots statesman image in push to counter US on world stage 14-03-2023 12:41 Chinese premier is rebooting his image as a global statesman — and he’s already got a significant win under his belt.
TRADE & DIPLOMACY 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.
EU-MERCOSUR TRADE DEAL 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.
WAR IN UKRAINE: ONE YEAR ON Argentina's trade with Ukraine and Russia down 40% since outbreak of war 23-02-2023 23:51 Trade with Russia and Ukraine has slumped by more than 40% since war broke out 12 months ago.
TRADE Colombia, Venezuela revive trade deal after four-year suspension 17-02-2023 10:54 Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro says he is committed to establishing a joint "economic zone" with specific conditions for trade.
FOREIGN RELATIONS & DIPLOMACY US, Brazil to seek reset with Biden-Lula meeting 08-02-2023 17:18 The US and Brazil will seek to reset ties this week when President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva travels to Washington to meet Joe Biden, both keen to turn the page on the Jair Bolsonaro years.
EU-MERCOSUR TRADE DEAL 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.
EU-MERCOSUR TRADE DEAL 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.
EU-MERCOSUR TRADE DEAL EU, Mercosur trade deal possible soon, says European official 31-01-2023 13:14 European Union hopes to finalise trade deal with Mercosur by July, says top EU official.
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.
EU-MERCOSUR TRADE DEAL Fernández expects Mercosur, EU to close trade deal soon 29-01-2023 10:31 The Mercosur trade group and the European Union will reach a trade agreement soon, declares president during German chancellor's visit to Buenos Aires.
FOREIGN POLITICS & DIPLOMACY 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.
Bilateral relations 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.
MERCOSUR TENSIONS Lula urges sealing of EU-Mercosur trade deal before China talks 26-01-2023 00:49 Lula demands Mercosur seal a free-trade agreement with the European Union before moving onto talks with China.
Diplomacy & Trade Lula in Uruguay: Meeting with Lacalle Pou and a wink to the opposition 25-01-2023 13:10 Brazilian president arrived in Montevideo on Wednesday to meet with Luis Lacalle Pou; Talks regarding the Mercosur trade bloc dominate, but Lula also delivers a nod to the country’s opposition by meeting major figures of the left.
LULA IN BUENOS AIRES Brazil, Argentina eye common unit for trade, not a single currency 23-01-2023 21:49 Brazilian finance minister says plan is to introduce a common unit to settle trading operations between the two countries without relying on the dollar.
Trade Agreements 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 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
MEAT EXPORTS In Uruguay, an effort to save horses from foreign plates 28-12-2022 13:07 The Santuarios Primitivo NGO is doing its best to rescue horses in Uruguay, where slaughter of the beloved animals is increasing rapidly.
FEATURE: DRUG-TRAFFICKING Cocaine is flooding into Europe and it's terrorising cities 24-12-2022 08:40 Cocaine often hitches a ride from Latin America in the same ships that carry produce. The drug is swamping Europe, and some communities have been terrorised.
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.
Mercosur tensions 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 TENSIONS 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.
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.
G20 leaders summit From hospital to bilateral with Xi – Alberto’s up-and-down day at the G20 16-11-2022 15:40 President Fernández had an eventful first day on Tuesday at the G20 Leaders Summit in Bali.
WORLD AFFAIRS ‘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-MERCOSUR TRADE DEAL 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.
G20 SUMMIT Indonesia seeks to capitalise on G20 Summit 14-10-2022 15:58 Emerging powerhouse nation of 275 million ready to assert itself on the world stage as global leaders prepare for Bali meeting. by Sam Forster
EUROPE UK hit by biggest rail strike in over 30 years 21-06-2022 15:30 Travel across British railway stations ground to a halt Tuesday as widespread strike action plunged commuters into chaos.
And that reminds me… Not getting the hang of it 28-05-2022 01:00 The Kirchnerite wing of the Frente de Todos coalition has come to the final conclusion that the “war on inflation” is irreversibly lost, leading to a refusal to have any official of its kidney attached to that failure. by Michael Soltys
TEXAS SHOOTING 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.
CRIME & SECURITY 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.
HARVEST BOOM Global grain shortage an opportunity for Argentina's 'green gold' 06-05-2022 15:48 Soybean harvest will be smaller than last year, but it will bring in record prices as a result of Russia's attack on Ukraine. Agro-industrial exports could reach as high as US$41 billion this year, according to experts.
BLOOMBERG Bond chaos in Argentina sparks traders’ rush to provincial notes 25-04-2022 15:36 Investors are snapping up securities issued by the provinces of Córdoba, Neuquén, Mendoza and Chubut, turning them into the nation’s top performers this month.
ECONOMIC INDICATORS Exports soared to record high in March 21-04-2022 17:29 Argentina exported a record US$7.352 billion last month – 28.5% more than in the previous month.
Bilateral relations 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.
AGRICULTURE 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.
Bloomberg The carry trade is minting big returns in Latin America again 09-02-2022 15:32 The carry trade is roaring back in Latin America, home to some of the world’s most aggressive inflation-fighting central banks.
alberto's foreign tour Trip to Russia, China puts Argentina’s ‘círculo rojo’ on orange alert 28-01-2022 17:07 Concerns among the group of influential decision-makers dubbed the “círculo rojo” are increasing, with unrest over the president’s tour destinations and doubts over a new IMF deal.
ALBERTO’S FOREIGN TOUR Alberto’s mission: Selling his support for Russia and China – at a high price 28-01-2022 17:04 Putin and Xi are two of the biggest political leaders in the world, beyond any doubt, but they are also among the most denounced. by Maximiliano Sardi
Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development 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.
DIPLOMACY 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.
ECONOMIC INDICATORS Argentina's trade surplus up by 17.7% in 2021 21-01-2022 22:49 Argentina closed out 2021 with a trade volume of US$141 billion, its biggest since 2013, and a surplus of almost US$15 billion, 17% higher than the previous year.
‘GESTAPO’ VIDEO SCANDAL President calls for probe into allegations of trade-union persecution 04-01-2022 17:52 President Fernandez calls on Judiciary to "investigate without delay" allegations of alleged espionage and trade-union persecution, following leaked 'Gestapo' video.
'GESTAPO' VIDEO AFI denounces ex-BA Province minister after ‘Gestapo’ comment in video 31-12-2021 12:31 Video footage emerges of ex-Buenos Aires Province labour minister Marcelo Villegas telling business leaders of plan to tackle trade union leaders. AFI intelligence denounces officials of ex-Vidal administration before courts.
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.