The Foreign Minister, Francisco Bustillowarned, during his speech at the LXII Ordinary Meeting of the Mercosur Common Market Councilon trade inequalities within the bloc, in a harsh speech in which he again demanded progress in the Free Trade Agreement (FTA) with China.
“Mercosur has not been able to consolidate internal policies that allow for a substantial increase in trade ties between partners and, at the same time, has been left out of important trade negotiations that take place in the international arena,” said Bustillo. , who recalled that the government “From the first day we warned that the bloc was won by immobility.”
The chancellor warned that beyond the intra-bloc relationship it is also important to analyze bilateral relations. In this regard, he warned that on the applications for the import of Uruguayan goods frozen in Argentina.
“It is a fact of special concern that my country is currently facing. harsh restrictions on market access Argentinian, taking into account the policies implemented regarding the approval of non-automatic import licenses. To date, there are more than 600 applications that are pending, ”he explained.
Uruguay has registered for more than a decade an important trade deficit with Mercosur. According to government data, the country exports around 25% of its production to the bloc, while it receives more than 40% from imports.
“In front of those who have exhibited the common external tariff as the milestone on which they settle the desire to imagine a customs union, we remind them that there are three national tariffs today”, said Bustillo. “In an activity so affected by acronyms, perhaps we should talk about Zocosur, rather than Mercosur, this is a common area of the south,” he stressed.
Pressure for the FTA with China
Foreign Minister Francisco Bustillo also stated that the panorama in terms of foreign relations “is not rosier”. He recalled that Mercosur does not have trade agreements with any of the 10 largest world economies and urged BrazilArgentina and Paraguayan to advance in the FTA with China.
“Uruguay has advanced and finalized a joint feasibility study with the People’s Republic of China. We reported this in the framework of the Pro Tempore Presidency of Paraguay, at the meeting in Asunción”, recalled the minister, who, however, weeks ago admitted before the Parliament that the negotiations are more than stalled.
“On that occasion, the other members made known their concern that they would also like to carry out a study in the same direction. Well then, China awaits, Uruguay awaitshe urged.
Source: Ambito
