MercoPress. South Atlantic News Agency
Mercosur ‘remains a fiction’ admits Uruguayan foreign minister
Mercosur as an only market ‘remains a fiction’ since it is missing the effective implementation and ironing out of trade and macroeconomic reforms, said Uruguayan foreign minister Luis Almagro, who went on to promote “double and triple membership” for Mercosur members. Read full article
Comments
Disclaimer & comment rulesMercosur is as much a fiction as thinking Almagro is the Foreign Minister of Uruguay when in reality he works for The Dark Country and TMBOA.
Aug 19th, 2013 - 02:08 pm - Link - Report abuse 0As for Mujica, WTF does “you can’t bet to an open paddock and likewise to a closed paddock” mean? The only padlocks he should worry about will be the ones in the lunatic asylum.
There is more good sense than bad sense in Almagro's assertions.
Aug 19th, 2013 - 02:56 pm - Link - Report abuse 0Ur. can't do it on its own, it needs a big beast ... Br. is the only sensible option.
Hang on to the coat-tails, Ur., and PUSH Br. as hard as you can.
2 GeoffWard2
Aug 19th, 2013 - 04:24 pm - Link - Report abuse 0Recall the obvious statement “never get a tiger by the tail”?
Frankly I see little difference between Argentina and Brazil over some matters: extra-judicial killings, massive corruption, no ability to organise themselves in a timely fashion, economic policy undefined and seemingly reacting to circumstances therefore NOT creating favourable circumstances for themselves, having a bald-faced lier as the Finance Minister, I could go on.
Geoff,
Aug 19th, 2013 - 05:13 pm - Link - Report abuse 0It is very short sighted to think that Uruguay needs Brazil or Argentina. The world is much bigger than that and there is nothing to stop a small country from seeking bilateral arrangements with “big beasts” and small beyond the region. Take Chile for example we have bilateral FTAs with nearly 60 countries. 93% of our exports go to those countries.
I agree with Condorito
Aug 19th, 2013 - 08:27 pm - Link - Report abuse 0Though Australia has a large economy, it is still a small market surrounded by and influenced by much larger economies and markets. Uruguay is lucky to have cultural and linguistic links to a dozen countries in the region, some of whom are not as dominant as Argentina or Brazil. Australia only had New Zealand and had to chart an independent course with countries that have extremely dissimilar cultures, languages and markets.
Our country once grew on the back of trade with the UK, when the UK shut us out by joining the EEC, we eventually shifted our focus to places like Japan. When Japan stopped growing we shift to China. With China's problems growing, we will have to shift again. The trick is not to keep beating a dead horse otherwise we would still be bemoaning our loss of the UK market 40 years ago.
Uruguay should be using its small and stable status to becoming a Luxembourg or Singapore or Panama. Finding a niche that it can exploit to the benefit of itself and its neighbours. Australia is the 4 largest economy if you include us in Asia. And yet we have one of the smallest populations. And contrary to what many people believe, mining out accounts for 10% of our GDP. The largest component is services. Many companies chose Australia for its legal and economic stability when looking toward SE Asia.
If Uruguay keeps finding that economic problems from its neighbours keeps spilling over then it can do several things from massively increasing its trade with countries further afield such as the US, China or the EU and maybe even explore the potential of dollarisation to protect it from Argentina's next inevitable economic crisis.
Uruguay does not need to be defined by Argentina or Brazil, just as Australia is not defined by Indonesia or China.
@4Agreed completely :-)
Aug 19th, 2013 - 10:11 pm - Link - Report abuse 0Uruguay has an administration capable of developing it´s own large trade links along with the ones it has with Argentina and Brazil. Their main interest in Mercosur is really part of their own foreing policy in relation to the region, that of getting closer ties with Latam countries.
I still believe Mercosur could take off if the main parties keeping it static changed their aproach to it, that´s Brazil and Argentina. It would help all parties involved. Some enterpeneurs at Mercosur, especially from Brazil, and even some of PA have show interest in both trade groups having a deeper relationship but it´s unclear how much could be done the way things are today.
My point is that associations of countries ALWAYS get better trade arrangements with third parties, whether single countries or other blocs.
Aug 20th, 2013 - 04:46 am - Link - Report abuse 0A 'mini-bloc' of just two countries can win better deals than a country on its own, large or small. With a larger range of traded products, together, the mini-block can develop a fuller range of products for overseas markets. Developing the range of manufactured products is the ONLY route for real 'development' - otherwise a country relies on food/raw materials and 'service'.
It also allows Uruguay to be a more major player in the development of the long-needed *protocols* for bloc trade programmes .. ones which accord with those of the developed world - without the sheet anchor of the Bolivarians (assuming Brasil can keep a clear head!).
Is Britain floundering?
Aug 20th, 2013 - 08:56 am - Link - Report abuse 0pbs.twimg.com/media/BSGmZeQCMAEeppR.png
Is it?
Aug 20th, 2013 - 08:59 am - Link - Report abuse 0Where was Britain mentioned in the article?
Don't be so defensive, it's an honest question; click on the link. :-)
Aug 20th, 2013 - 09:01 am - Link - Report abuse 0@10
Aug 20th, 2013 - 12:05 pm - Link - Report abuse 0What has the UK got to do with Mercosur. We have our own problems, but at least we are addressing them. No good burying your head in the sand and hope things will get better.
10 Forgetit87
Aug 20th, 2013 - 01:40 pm - Link - Report abuse 0You would not know an honest question if it bit you.
Have YOU looked at the link and do you UNDERSTAND what it says?
From May 2010 when the ConLib government took charge until April 2013 (38 months it says) the REAL wages people were paid failed to grow.
Most people expect an increase over 38 months IN NORMAL TIMES. But these are not normal times and wages have not increased FOR OBVIOUS REASONS THAT PEOPLE OF INTELLIGENCE CAN UNDERSTAND.
So, how much have they failed to grow by?
FORTY PERCENT: NO!
FOUR PERCENT: NO!
A WHOPPING POINT FOUR PERCENT MAX: YES! and some months were less than 0.2%
Now as these are REAL wages (inflation, etc accounted for) please answer this question: how much has your REAL income moved by?
I have no idea where you live but as an argie sympathiser it could be anywhere due to the fact that most of the argie supporters live ANYWHERE but in The Dark Country and I bet you are the same.
Perhaps Geoff knows?
12 ChrisR (#)
Aug 22nd, 2013 - 01:25 pm - Link - Report abuse 0Aug 20th, 2013 - 01:40 pm
Chris, I'll give you an answer for my personal situation here in Patagonia:
In May 2010 my wife and I spent ARS$2.174,46 on all living expenses including municipal taxes etc.
In April 2013 I spent ARS$4.743.00 on exactly the same items.
That is getting on for 120% in 3years!!!!!!!!!!
13 Simon68
Aug 22nd, 2013 - 03:33 pm - Link - Report abuse 0I don't know how you coped with that but one thing I do know your pensions did not go up 120%.
It makes me shudder just to think of that.
Best of luck as always. :o)
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