“Mercosur at its worst moment” and Argentina has clearly “a protectionist focus”

Tuesday, December 6th 2011 - 04:31 UTC

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Uruguayan Vice-president Astori criticized neighbouring Argentina’s policies

Uruguay’s Vice-president Danilo Astori blasted Argentina’s protectionist and foreign exchange policies because they damage Mercosur, which is currently living its “worst possible moment”.

“There is a flagrant contradiction between having a free trade zone and measures that make it difficult for the access of goods and services to the expanded market. The lack of economic policies’ coordination leads us to a situation in which countries such as Argentina permanently opt for instruments that make access to market most difficult”, said Astori in an interview with a Montevideo daily.

These measures promoted by the Casa Rosada (Argentine government house) must be added to the foreign exchange decisions “which do not help particularly for a great activity in Uruguay, in the coming months, as is tourism”.

The Uruguayan Vice president and former Economy minister said that “there are tariff restrictions of all kinds and we also have policy asymmetries. This leads me to think that Mercosur is currently going through an extraordinarily difficult time: probably its worst moment”.

Astori added the focus of Argentine economic policy is not the same as that of Uruguay, rather it is quite different. Even with Brazil “we can find economic policy decisions, although less than in the Argentine case, also show important differences”.

But to spell out “fair and brief Uruguay has a far more open economy and far more open policies. Argentina has a far more protectionist focus”.

Categories: Economy, Politics, Argentina, Mercosur, Uruguay.

Tags: Argentina, Danilo Astori, Mercosur, protectionist, Uruguay.

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Pirat-Hunter
worst moments ?? compared to ?? I think this Uruguayan politician should worry more about Uruguay's economy more then what Argentina does or stops doing, as I recall it was Argentina who wanted to close border's soo Uruguayan's wouldn't have to look at us ugly Argentine's, what's the problem now should we just close the border indefinately untill they find we are not such a bad neighbours. it does comes across as though Uruguayan politicians want to bully Argentina into relaxing their economic and trade policy as if Argentina didn't represent any civilians, you got to admit it, it makes a great sound byte in a political arena, but it's a lousy motor drive for cooperation and integration, maybe the real purpposse is to divide or mislead public opinion regarding failing fiscal policy. what ever the case didn't anyone tell mr, Asstori that the economic crisys is global ???
Dec 06th, 2011 - 06:10 am 0
Redhoyt
Poor Uruguay, the ony democratic country in a continent of banana republics and tin pot dictatorships - can't be easy !
Dec 06th, 2011 - 08:37 am 0
xbarilox
the funny thing is the Uruguay's very existence depends on these banana republics, and islanders' very existence too, so be careful :)
Dec 06th, 2011 - 09:01 am 0

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