Mercosur
MercosurArgentina/Brazil admit ‘good understanding’ in round of trade talks to lift restrictions
The meeting between Argentine and Brazilian officials to discuss the new trade legislation implemented by the government of President Cristina Fernandez ended in a “good understanding”, said participants of the Monday meeting.
Uruguayan president downplays the impact of Argentine imports’ restrictions
The new trade barriers enforced by the Argentine government are “insignificant, nothing to worry about,” Uruguayan president José Mujíca said to a Montevideo newspaper insisting that the best path is ‘dialogue’ dismounting each obstacle ‘step by step’.
Brazil follows Argentina: sets up a special unit to monitor and control imports
Following on Argentina’s track the Brazilian government created a special unit to monitor and control imports in the framework of the country’s new trade policy implemented by the administration of President Dilma Rousseff.
Brazil will evaluate the impact and legality of Argentina’s latest trade barriers
The Brazilian government expressed concerns over the new Argentine trade barriers going in effect on Wednesday and informed that it would “evaluate its impact and legality” before making any decisions, Foreign Trade secretary Tatiana Prazeres announced.
Argentina new imports’ restrictions come into effect; claims from Mercosur
Argentina’s controversial new import restrictions came into effect on Wednesday as part of the legislation on the trading sector which gives the government bureaucracy more powers to control and restrict imports.
Paraguayan beef exports forecasted to plummet 30% because of FMD outbreaks
The value of Paraguayan beef exports could drop 30% in 2012 compared to the previous year given the loss of markets following two outbreaks of Foot and Mouth Disease, FMD, points out the country’ Centre for Analysis of the Paraguayan Economy, CADEP.
Uruguay industry accuses Argentina of systematically blocking exports
The Uruguayan industrial sector warned that certain members of the Mercosur “are failing to fulfil their obligations” and targeted Argentina directly by pointing out that the new trade regulations set by the local Government “are hurting production” in the neighbouring country.
Shallow canals and low water levels obstruct Argentina’s main grains terminal
The grounding of two bulk carriers one in the Parana River and a second in the Martin Garcia access canal are evidence of the frail fluvial communications system between the River Plate and the Atlantic, reports the press from the port of Rosario, Argentina’s second largest city and among the world’s main grain export terminals.
Mercosur is stalled: nobody comes knocking on the door, says Mujica
Uruguay's President José Mujica said that Mercosur bloc is stalled and has no natural institutional operation to push other countries to express their willingness to enter it plus lacking the fluidity of a natural relationship.
Moody’s raises Uruguay’s credit rating to Ba1, one level below investment grade
Uruguay’s credit-rating outlook was raised on Thursday to positive by Moody’s Investors Service, which cited the government’s commitment to keeping its budget deficit in check.

