News of trade

Macron warns EU-Mercosur deal hinges on environment

25-02-2023 15:30 French president says long-delayed trade deal between the EU and four Latin American nations "is not possible" if they do not follow European environmental policies.

Argentina's trade with Ukraine and Russia down 40% since outbreak of war

23-02-2023 23:51 Trade with Russia and Ukraine has slumped by more than 40% since war broke out 12 months ago.

Mercosur seeking ‘revised agreement’ with EU, says Cafiero

01-02-2023 18:58 Foreign minister says ‘assymetries’ in deal must be resolved; Top EU officials pinpoint July summit in Brussels as potential completion date.

EU, Mercosur trade deal possible soon, says European official

31-01-2023 13:14 European Union hopes to finalise trade deal with Mercosur by July, says top EU official.

Lula and Fernández hail ‘new history’ as Argentina and Brazil reunite

27-01-2023 14:20 Brazil leader Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva underlined the significance of his visit to Argentina on Monday, declaring it marked “the beginning of a new history” between the two nations.

Lula urges sealing of EU-Mercosur trade deal before China talks

26-01-2023 00:49 Lula demands Mercosur seal a free-trade agreement with the European Union before moving onto talks with China.

President: ‘Agricultural protectionism’ blocking EU-Mercosur deal

01-01-2023 03:00 President Alberto Fernández on tensions within the Mercosur, the future of the regional trade bloc and what is really blocking its controversial free-trade deal with the European Union.

by Jorge Fontevecchia

In Uruguay, an effort to save horses from foreign plates

28-12-2022 13:07 The Santuarios Primitivo NGO is doing its best to rescue horses in Uruguay, where slaughter of the beloved animals is increasing rapidly.

Mercosur’s future in balance as summit begins

05-12-2022 17:48 Argentina, Brazil and Paraguay reiterated their criticism of Uruguay on Monday over their partner’s willingness to negotiate agreements with countries outside the Mercosur bloc.

Mercosur tensions rise as Uruguay seeks trade deal outside bloc

03-12-2022 08:19 Uruguay's move to join one of Asia's biggest pacts marks a rupture after years of Montevideo seeking a more open approach to international commerce by the group. 

EU ‘fully committed’ to Mercosur free-trade deal, says top official

24-10-2022 20:56 The European Union is “fully committed” to the stalled free-trade deal with the Mercosur bloc and must move ahead before “other actors intervene,” declares EU official Josep Borrell.

Indonesia seeks to capitalise on G20 Summit

14-10-2022 15:58 Emerging powerhouse nation of 275 million ready to assert itself on the world stage as global leaders prepare for Bali meeting.

by Sam Forster

Three decades after Pablo Escobar's death, drugs ravage Medellín

10-05-2022 17:03 Three decades after cartel boss Pablo Escobar was shot dead by police on a rooftop in Medellín, the very city he had sought to uplift with drug money is being ravaged by it, having become the epicentre of the domestic drug trade.

Global grain shortage an opportunity for Argentina's 'green gold'

06-05-2022 15:48 Soybean harvest will be smaller than last year, but it will bring in record prices as a result of Russia's attack on Ukraine. Agro-industrial exports could reach as high as US$41 billion this year, according to experts.

Government suspends soybean exports as prices rise

14-03-2022 13:09 Argentina's government announced on Monday it had suspended exports of soybean flour and oil amid rumours it's planning to hike taxes due to soaring primary material costs.

The carry trade is minting big returns in Latin America again

09-02-2022 15:32 The carry trade is roaring back in Latin America, home to some of the world’s most aggressive inflation-fighting central banks.

Lunch with Putin in Russia, trips to China and Barbados – details emerge of president’s next trip

24-01-2022 22:16 President Alberto Fernández's upcoming tour will see him hold bilateral meetings with the leaders of Russia and China. A meeting with Barbados Prime Minister Mia Mottley has also been lined up, according to diplomatic sources.

Argentina's trade surplus up by 17.7% in 2021

21-01-2022 22:49 Argentina closed out 2021 with a trade volume of US$141 billion, its biggest since 2013, and a surplus of almost US$15 billion, 17% higher than the previous year.

Argentina, Brazil and Paraguay agree to review Mercosur tariffs

17-12-2021 18:08 Argentina, Brazil and Paraguay agree to continue “modernisation” of bloc and review common external tariff at virtual summit – but without Uruguay's agreement.

Maduro: Venezuela and Colombia need to 'normalise' ties

21-10-2021 11:11 Nicolás Maduro calls for the normalisation of trade and diplomatic relations with Colombia, which have been non-existent since 2019 when the government refused to recognise him as Venezuela's leader.