Economy

• Monday, March 24th 2014 - 06:55 UTC

  Brazil, France and Mexico to file papers before the US Supreme Court in support of Argentina

  

  Brazil, France and Mexico are expected to file papers in the US Supreme Court on Monday backing Argentina in its legal battle with bondholders who refused to take part in debt restructurings from the country's 2002 default, according to a source familiar with the litigation.

• Saturday, March 22nd 2014 - 08:01 UTC

  The Falklands/Malvinas: Brazil’s next regional headache?

  

  By Oliver Stuenkel (*) - Brazil, foreign policy observers often point out, is blessed. Contrary to many other emerging powers such as China or India, it is located in a region that rarely experiences interstate tension or war. Not only can Brazil live on a relatively small defense budget, while India is the world's largest arms importer. Brazil can also dedicate considerable time and energy towards extending its global diplomatic reach without constantly being forced to deal with trouble in its neighborhood.

• Saturday, March 22nd 2014 - 07:31 UTC

  Mercosur and EU in another effort to advance in the long delayed trade agreement

  

  Mercosur and European Union chief negotiators met on Friday in Brussels to define if conditions are ready for the exchange of tariffs reductions proposals with the purpose of reaching an ambitious trade agreement which was started back in 1999 and has yet to mature.

• Friday, March 21st 2014 - 05:56 UTC

  Argentina's grain shipping blocked by vessel grounded in the Paraná

  

  Argentina's river Paraná is blocked since early March when a Cypriot flagged vessel broke down with a 45.000 tons cargo of soybeans, thus holding back access of another eighty vessels waiting to load in Rosario and other ports in the heartland of the grains and oilseeds country.

• Thursday, March 20th 2014 - 03:26 UTC

  US Fed hints interest rates could start to rise in early 2015 as jobs picture improves

  

  The US Federal Reserve Chair Janet Yellen hinted on Wednesday that interest rates in the US could start to rise in early 2015, that is six months after it halts its monthly bond-buying program. Ms Yellen made the remarks after the Fed said it will scale back bond purchases by a further 10bn dollars per month.

• Wednesday, March 19th 2014 - 07:13 UTC

  US regulator sues 16 banks for allegedly manipulating the Libor

  

  US regulator has sued 16 banks for allegedly manipulating the London interbank offered rate (Libor).The Libor rate is used to set trillions of dollars of financial contracts, including mortgages and financial transactions around the world.

• Wednesday, March 19th 2014 - 07:07 UTC

  Mercosur has been 'a good deal' for Uruguay, 'it could have been better'

  

  President Jose Mujica said that Mercosur even with all its problems “has been a good deal” although it “could have been better”, and it is imperative that the group signs trade agreements with Europe and China, which has become the main trade partner of the region.

• Tuesday, March 18th 2014 - 22:15 UTC

  Carney begins implementation of 'root-and-branch' review in Bank of England

  

  Two new deputy governors have been named at the Bank of England, as part of a radical shake-up by governor Mark Carney. Ben Broadbent will become deputy governor responsible for monetary policy, and Nemat Shafik will take charge of markets and banking.

• Tuesday, March 18th 2014 - 22:00 UTC

  Chile suggests the Pacific Alliance and Mercosur should consider integration

  

  Chile's new foreign minister Heraldo Muñoz ratified his country's membership of the Pacific Alliance, a much questioned group by other regional organizations such as the Venezuelan inspired ALBA and even Mercosur led by Brazil, and suggested that Mercosur and the Pacific Alliance could consider integration. Chile is currently an associate member of Mercosur.

• Tuesday, March 18th 2014 - 06:56 UTC

  Moody's downgrades Argentina's because of inconsistent economic policy

  

  International credit rating agency Moody's has reduced the rating of Argentina's sovereign debt, moving the grade down one step from B3 to Caa1 due to the fall in the nation's international reserves and its “inconsistent” economic policy.