Mercosur

• Friday, February 18th 2011 - 23:48 UTC

  Argentina/Brazil agree on monitoring committee to oversee bilateral trade

  

  Argentina and Brazil agreed Friday to set up a Monitoring Committee in order to exclude Brazilian products from being affected by the imports non-automatic licence system announced this week by the administration of President Cristina Fernandez de Kirchner.

• Friday, February 18th 2011 - 16:53 UTC

  “Beginning of the end for Mercosur” warn Uruguayan industrialists

  

  The chairman of the Uruguayan Chamber of Industry, Washington Burghi, warned that Argentina’s decision to restrict imports could be “the beginning of the end” for the Mercosur. However Argentine ambassador in Montevideo said decisions are targeted against Asian imports with the purpose of defending Argentine jobs.

• Friday, February 18th 2011 - 05:23 UTC

  European MPs warn about “a flood of meat imports” from Mercosur

  

  Members from the European Parliament representing rural constituencies have come out strongly against a possible trade deal between Europe and Mercosur arguing that an influx of meat imports could have a devastating impact on the EU beef industry.

• Tuesday, February 15th 2011 - 19:26 UTC

  France warns it wants EU/Mercosur farmers subject to the same “strict” rules

  

  France warned Tuesday that it is following closely European Union/Mercosur trade talks to ensure that farmers from both blocks are strictly subjected to the same rules.

• Monday, February 14th 2011 - 06:19 UTC

  Brazil consolidates defence and military links with Argentina and Uruguay

  

  Brazilian Defence minister Nelson Jobim begins this week a tour of neighbouring Mercosur partners where he is scheduled to sign a statement underlining the strategic relation with Argentina, and further on Uruguay’s interest in military cooperation and equipment.

• Thursday, February 10th 2011 - 22:42 UTC

  “Currencies war”, new challenge for EU/Mercosur trade agreement

  

  The European Union Trade Commissioner Karen De Gucht anticipates a full trade agreement with Mercosur will be reached in a “short time” given the negotiations “unusual” speed but also cautioned about new challenges such as currencies over or under appreciation.

• Tuesday, February 8th 2011 - 01:08 UTC

  EU top official says “this is the moment” for a trade agreement with Mercosur

  

  European Union Trade commissioner Karel de Gutch said Monday he strongly believes the EU will reach a trade agreement with Mercosur because “this is the moment” and both sides are committed to conclude negotiations positively.

• Monday, February 7th 2011 - 20:41 UTC

  Argentina conditions luxury car imports to deals with Mercosur auto-parts industry

  

  Argentina has stopped the import of high-class luxury cars and redoubled efforts to convince companies with no assembly plants in Mercosur to reduce imports and reach export agreements with Argentine auto parts industry.

• Saturday, February 5th 2011 - 03:40 UTC

  Paraguayan congress puts price to Venezuela’s Mercosur incorporation

  

  The Paraguayan political system is willing to consider the incorporation of Venezuela to Mercosur as a full member if there is a “significant gesture or compensation” from the government of President Hugo Chavez, according to congressional sources in Asunción.

• Friday, February 4th 2011 - 21:02 UTC

  EU top official visits Uruguay/Paraguay to advance trade talks with Mercosur

  

  The European Union Trade Commissioner Karel De Gucht will travel next week to Paraguay and Uruguay to reinforce bilateral relations and to advance on the ongoing EU/Mercosur negotiations to reach an overall trade and cooperation agreement.