
Argentina's Consumer Price Index (CPI) rose 1.9% in July, bringing the year-on-year inflation to 36.6% and the year-to-date figure to 17.3%, according to a report from the National Institute of Statistics (Indec) released Wednesday in Buenos Aires. This marks the third consecutive month with a monthly inflation rate below 2%, a trend not seen since late 2017.

A study by the Catholic University of Uruguay's (UCU) Economic Observatory on the Salto Campus released this week showed that goods were once again much less expensive in Argentina. However, the difference was not as large as in previous years.

A report by the SME Observatory Foundation (FOP) warned that one-third of Argentina's small and medium-sized industrial enterprises (SMEs) were losing market share to imports. The study, which surveyed 407 companies, found that 45% of SMEs feel a growing threat from imported goods, the highest level since 2007.

According to the Market Expectations Survey (REM) from Argentina's Central Bank (BCRA), which collects projections from consulting firms and research centers monthly, inflation in July is expected to be 1.8%, a slight increase from June's 1.6%. This figure is foreseen despite the dollar rising 14% during the same month.

Brazilian Finance Minister Fernando Haddad announced Monday that his meeting with US Secretary of the Treasury Scott Bessent, scheduled for Wednesday, had been canceled. The minister claimed the decision was triggered by the US far right.

Presidents Xi Jinping of China and Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva of Brazil on Monday held a telephone conference, during which they discussed topics of mutual interest, as well as global issues. Both leaders agreed that China-Brazil relations were at an all-time high and planned to continue working together.

Paraguay's Lower House on Monday approved the Free Trade Agreement between the South American Common Market (Mercosur) and Singapore signed in December 2023 in Rio de Janeiro. The deal had already been approved by the Senate. The understanding seeks to increase accessibility and transparency for businesses engaging in electronic transactions and public procurement.

The Chilean Government of President Gabriel Boric Font suspended the import of all animals and animal products from Argentina that require foot-and-mouth disease-free certification, in response to the Libertarian administration's decision to deregulate the National Service for Agrifood Health and Quality (Senasa). This move directly affects exports of sheep meat and bulls from Argentina's provinces of Neuquén and Río Negro, jeopardizing millions of dollars in trade.

Retail sales for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) dropped by 2% year-on-year in July and 5.7% compared to June, marking the fourth consecutive month of decline, according to the Retail Sales Index (IVM) compiled by the Argentine Confederation of Medium-Sized Enterprises (CAME). Despite this, year-to-date sales for 2025 are still up 7.6% compared to the same period in 2024.

The Falkland Islands Government Policy Department has announced the publication of the Falkland Islands National Accounts for the years 2014 to 2024.