Mercosur

• Sunday, April 1st 2012 - 08:13 UTC

  Brazil considering tax breaks and higher tariffs to help struggling industries

  

  Brazil will extend a payroll tax break to some manufacturers as part of a package of new measures to help struggling industries in a move to help the recovery of Latin America's top economy, a senior government source revealed to the local media.

• Saturday, March 31st 2012 - 06:41 UTC

  Argentina rejects WTO members’ criticisms; confirms ‘sovereign trade policies’

  

  The Argentine government ratified its trade policies before the World Trade Organization, following the criticism of Argentine trade restrictions from twelve countries, including the US, EU and Japan, and assured it will continue to decide on its trade policies in a sovereign manner.

• Saturday, March 31st 2012 - 06:17 UTC

  Uruguay reveals the existence of an “Argentina 2020: imports substitution” plan

  

  Uruguay’ Foreign Affairs Minister Luis Almagro revealed that the government of President Cristina Fernandez is fully involved in the implementation of a plan called “Argentina 2020: substitution of imports” and therefore bilateral trade negotiations that are difficult, will continue on that same path for several years.

• Friday, March 30th 2012 - 06:47 UTC

  Uruguay against any Falklands’ blockade; supports trade with the Islands

  

  Foreign Affairs minister Luis Almagro said that the Uruguayan government does not oppose trade with the Falkland Islands and any undertaking to that effect by the private sector is welcome since “Uruguay does not agree with any commercial or economic blockade of the Islands”.

• Thursday, March 29th 2012 - 04:24 UTC

  Guess why Argentina restricts book imports: possible lead poisoning from ink

  

  Argentina does not ban the import of books, the latest measures have been implemented to safeguard human health since handling books could entail dangers originated in the lead content of the inks with which they are published.

• Tuesday, March 27th 2012 - 12:52 UTC

  Brazil extends tax cuts on appliances but manufacturers must not lay-off workers

  

  Brazil announced extended tax cuts on appliances such as refrigerators and washing machines, and reduced levies on other goods, as it seeks to help manufacturers hurt by a slowdown in economic growth and a surge in imports.

• Tuesday, March 27th 2012 - 12:11 UTC

  Import barriers and inflation change Argentina’s industrial production scenario

  

  Argentina's industrial production fell unexpectedly in February, after 28 consecutive months of expansion, as weaker demand from Brazil hit the key automobile sector. Industrial output fell 0.8% from February 2011 and slid 1.4% from the previous month, said Indec.

• Saturday, March 24th 2012 - 08:51 UTC

  Uruguay’s economy slows in fourth quarter but expands a “very good” 5.7% in 2011

  

  Uruguay’s economic growth slowed more than economists forecast in the fourth quarter as a refinery closure and the start of a drought trimmed a nine-year expansion; nevertheless the Central Bank said overall expansion in the twelve months of 2011 was “very good” in the current global context and just short of government’s target.

• Saturday, March 24th 2012 - 02:52 UTC

  Argentina is facing serious trade problems and Brazil “must help in a mature way”

  

  Argentina is having serious trade problems and Brazil “in a mature way” must try and help solve them said a top official from President Dilma Rousseff administration, who anticipated he would be travelling to Buenos Aires in coming weeks.

• Friday, March 23rd 2012 - 02:18 UTC

  Canada in exploratory talks with Mercosur for a trade agreement

  

  Canadian Minister of International Trade Ed Fast has concluded a two-day trade visit to Argentina, to promote the conclusion of exploratory talks towards a possible free trade agreement (FTA) with the Mercosur trade bloc.