Brazilian Development, Industry and Foreign Trade minister Fernando Pimentel justified trade barriers imposed last week on the import of cars, a measure which was strongly criticized by the Argentine government.
China Trade Minister Chen Deming promised to further increase bilateral trade with Argentina which last year reached 13.5 billion US dollars but also asked for reciprocity regarding China’s exports.
The mayor of Buenos Aires City Mauricio Macri blasted Argentine President Cristina Fernández de Kirchner and assured that despite her recent criticism towards CGT Labour Confederation leader Hugo Moyano “the Government and him have been partners since day one”.
An effort to declassify US documents on Argentina’s dictatorship failed Friday in the US Congress, disappointing rights activists in the Argentine capital who believe the secret files could help them identify young people stolen as babies by the military junta.
Argentine President Cristina Fernandez de Kirchner following medical advice was absent on Saturday from Paraguay’ official celebrations for the Bicentenary of the country’s independence. She was represented by Foreign Affairs Minister Héctor Timerman.
French Foreign Trade Secretary Pierre Lellouche said he had witnessed ‘strong tensions’ among Mercosur members during negotiations with the European Union for a free trade agreement.
Following a long day of open letters and press exchanges Argentina and Brazil finally agreed on the ground rules for the initiation of a ‘constructive dialogue’ to soften the trade dispute which erupted when Brazil imposed non automatic licences on imported cars, including from Mercosur’ main partner Argentina.
Brazil is tightening requirements for imports of cars in a move that sparked complaints from Argentina, its biggest supplier of the product. Imports to Brazil will need a special license that can take as long as 60 days to be approved, the Trade Ministry said in an e-mailed statement.
Argentine President Cristina Fernández de Kirchner insisted on Thursday that she “is not dying to be president again” but also sent a scathing message targeting organized labour rejecting ‘blackmailing’ and any attempts to bring down the (economic) model.
Brazil’s Commerce and Industry minister Fernando Pimentel called on the Argentine government to de-activate restrictions on Brazilian exports and revealed he had addressed a letter to his Argentine peer Debora Giorgi exposing restrictions on bilateral trade and demanding a reply this coming week end.