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MercoPress, en Español

Montevideo, January 29th 2026 - 22:58 UTC

Economy

  • Wednesday, April 18th 2018 - 08:51 UTC

    NAFTA round of negotiations expected to resume this week

    Guajardo said that if the US imposed steel tariffs, Mexico might seek to mirror the move against some countries to prevent them from using Mexico to elude the duties.

    The ministers leading the renegotiation of the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) could meet again on Thursday in Washington as they push for quick progress, Mexican Economy Minister Ildefonso Guajardo advanced. Guajardo said he had spoken to Canadian Foreign Minister Chrystia Freeland on Monday and would talk to U.S. Trade Representative Robert Lighthizer to see about agreeing a trilateral meeting in Washington on Thursday.

  • Wednesday, April 18th 2018 - 08:38 UTC

    Chinese economy expands at an annual rate of 6.8% in the first quarter, says Beijing

    The growth figures come amid concerns about China's outlook for exports which has been clouded by rising tensions with the US, its largest trading partner.

    China's economy grew at an annual pace of 6.8% in the first quarter compared to the same period last year, according to official data, beating forecasts for the period. The growth figures for January to March were also above Beijing's 2018 annual growth target of “around 6.5%”

  • Wednesday, April 18th 2018 - 08:32 UTC

    China opens its car manufacturing and market to foreign ownership

    China will remove foreign ownership caps for companies making electric and hybrid cars in 2018, commercial vehicles in 2020 and the wider market by 2022.

    China will allow full foreign ownership of car firms by 2022 in a move that could open up the world's biggest car market. The plans will change rules that require global carmakers to work through state-owned partners. The US says this forces them to share technology with potential competitors.

  • Wednesday, April 18th 2018 - 07:56 UTC

    IMF semi-annual report warns of choppy waters ahead: protectionism and trade wars

    “Despite the good near-term news, longer-term prospects are more sobering,” said Maurice Obstfeld, Economic Counselor and Director of Research at the IMF.

    While the world economy continues to show broad-based momentum, a new report released on Tuesday by the International Monetary Fund (IMF) is warning that there may be choppy seas ahead, caused by increasing protectionism or tit-for-tat trade wars.

  • Tuesday, April 17th 2018 - 08:14 UTC

    Argentina's inflation hard to beat: “inflation has to fall a lot in May”

    “Inflation has to fall a lot beginning in May” to meet the 15% target Central bank chair Sturzenegger said at a press conference.

    Argentina’s central bank would raise interest rates if inflation does not fall “a lot” beginning in May to a level consistent with its 2018 target for a 15% rise in consumer prices, central bank Governor Federico Sturzenegger said on Monday.

  • Tuesday, April 17th 2018 - 07:54 UTC

    Pound in strong sustained run against the US dollar

    The pound started the week with a gain of almost a cent to US$ 1.4323, while against the Euro it was 0.2% higher at €1.1569.

    The pound has continued its recent strong run against the dollar pushing firmly above US$ 1.43. It is the seventh session in a row that the pound has made gains against the US currency. The strong run means that, among the G10 group of rich nations, the UK has the best-performing currency this year.

  • Monday, April 16th 2018 - 08:07 UTC

    Poll shows a majority in UK want a “people's vote” on final Brexit deal

    The poll found that people aged between 18 and 34 were most in favor of having a “people’s vote”, and people aged 55 and over were most opposed to the idea.

    The majority of people in the UK want a “people’s vote” on the final Brexit deal, according to a new survey in which some 52% of respondents expressed support for the idea.The survey, conducted by pollster Opinium Research for pro-EU campaign group Open Britain, saw 31% of respondents say they were opposed to a “people’s vote”, while 17% said they didn’t know or had no opinion.

  • Monday, April 16th 2018 - 07:50 UTC

    Theresa May looks to boost trade and forge new links with the Commonwealth

    “Our Commonwealth family already accounts for one-fifth of global trade,” May said in a statement before the meeting.

    British Prime Minister Theresa May will call on the Commonwealth on Monday to boost trade and forge new links, launching a summit of the 53 nations which have become increasingly important to Britain as it leaves the European Union.

  • Monday, April 16th 2018 - 02:10 UTC

    The Economist on Uruguay: some serious shortfalls

    Economist Carlos Steneri,

    The Economist recently published an extremely laudatory article on the performance of the Uruguayan economy in the last fifteen years, much of which can be supported but even more needs to be rectified, quite a surprise coming from a publication known for its research rigor. The piece was titled “Uruguay’s record-setting economic growth streak; How a small country outperforms its neighbors” and was published in the March 28th edition.

  • Friday, April 13th 2018 - 09:03 UTC

    Falklands tourism operators agree 2017/18 was a successful cruise season

    The Falklands' season ended on April 7 with total visitor arrivals for the season at 57,496. Visitors arriving on expedition ships totaled 13,686, up 17%

    Visitor arrivals to the Falkland Islands were up 3.1% compared to the previous tourist season, confirmed Executive Director of the Tourist Board Stephanie Middleton to Penguin News. The Falklands' season ended on April 7 with total visitor arrivals for the season at 57,496. Ms Middleton outlined how, as with last season, it was the expedition vessels that mainly contributed to the hike in numbers.