EDUCATION Students, teachers prepare to return to classrooms 13-02-2021 09:56 "Without health there is no present and without education there is no future," says President Fernández; Ademys union calls 72-hour strike.
AND THAT REMINDS ME Suicide pacts are also consensus 13-02-2021 09:14 Consensus might sometimes push the right buttons but there is no guarantee and it is not a virtue in itself. by Michael Soltys
EU-MERCOSUR DEAL France says won't ratify Mercosur trade deal in 'current form' 04-02-2021 17:01 France says it will not ratify trade deal between the European Union and the Mercosur bloc "in its current form."
ECONOMIC INDICATORS Trade volume fell 14.9% in 2020, but with US$12.5B surplus 28-01-2021 16:43 Trade volume last year totalled US$97.24 billion, 14.9% down from the previous year, but with surplus of US$12.528 billion.
ECONOMIC INDICATORS Argentina posts first trade deficit since 2018 after port strike 27-01-2021 11:08 Country recorded a trade deficit of US$364 million in December, government data published Tuesday showed. While imports grew 25% in annual terms driven by an economic recovery, exports slumped by 34%.
BILATERAL RELATIONS Don’t expect ‘carnal relations’ between Alberto and Joe Biden 23-01-2021 08:31 One actor could tilt the scales, though: Pope Francis. Biden is the second Catholic president of the US, preceded by John F. Kennedy. How much will the Peronist leader of the Holy See nudge Biden our way? by Agustino Fontevecchia
Global Pandemic UN: Covid shrinks Latin American trade for 2020 22-01-2021 15:49 The coronavirus pandemic has triggered the steepest drop in Latin American foreign trade in 2020 since the global financial crisis more than a decade ago, a UN body said Friday.
OBRA SOCIALES CGT airs concerns over CFK call for ‘integrated’ health reform 16-01-2021 07:46 Trade unionists seek greater funding for obras sociales healthcare schemes, as leaders express concern over vice-president’s call for ‘integral reform’ of public and private sectors.
BREXIT British, Euro leaders sign Brexit deal as MPs approve ratification 30-12-2020 14:15 Britain and the European Union sign post-Brexit trade deal, setting their seal on a drawn-out divorce just hours before the looming deadline.
BREXIT UK-EU agree historic post-Brexit trade deal 26-12-2020 10:20 Britain and the European Union struck a post-Brexit trade deal on Christmas Eve that they hope will cushion the economic blow of the UK’s imminent departure from the bloc after months of tortuous negotiations.
Mercosur 'Distrust' of Brazil stalls EU-Mercosur trade deal 13-12-2020 19:45 Concerns over Amazon deforestation under Bolsonaro are delaying the ratification of a two-decades long negotiated trade deal between the European Union and Mercosur.
EU-MERCOSUR DEAL Without environmental guarantees, EU-Mercosur trade deal faces uncertain future 23-11-2020 15:51 Historic free-trade agreement between the European Union and the Mercosur regional bloc, announced more than a year ago after more than two decades of negotiations, stuck in limbo due to environmental concerns.
BLOOMBERG Global crop supply fears send soybeans to highest in six years 19-11-2020 10:27 Soybeans traded at the highest level in more than six years as increasing demand from top importer China and dry weather in the major producing areas of South America spur growing concerns over global supplies.
US ELECTION 2020 Latin America watches on as United States heads to the polls 31-10-2020 10:36 With the region facing unprecedented economic and health concerns, as well as the issue of China’s increasing presence, Tuesday’s election could set the tone for the next phase of US-Latin America relations. by Jennifer Heiman & Anina Hoffman
MERCOSUR Felipe Solá: Argentina won’t stop or reject EU-Mercosur trade deal 01-10-2020 19:59 Foreign minister says country has “changed stance” on free-trade agreement and will debate it in Congress when concerns over environmental by Fermin Koop
UNION PROFILE CGT leadership calls for 'strength and unity' on 90th anniversary 30-09-2020 17:36 The CGT umbrella labour confederation marked its 90th anniversary in understated and unified fashion on Sunday, with the heavyweight union grouping’s elections postponed until next year due to the coronavirus pandemic.
EU-MERCOSUR DEAL Brazil rejects deforestation concerns on EU-Mercosur deal 23-09-2020 16:12 Brazil hits back at European reluctance to finalise EU-Mercosur trade deal, saying a French report on environmental concerns is motivated by "protectionist interests."
EU-MERCOSUR DEAL Key EU states fear Mercosur pact may hurt Amazon 21-09-2020 08:22 EU commissioner admits not all EU nations "are aligned" on trade deal with Mercosur nations, as fears historic accord could hurt the Amazon grow.
EU-MERCOSUR DEAL France says opposes EU-Mercosur trade deal over deforestation concerns 18-09-2020 10:38 France opposed to free-trade deal in its current form due to "major" concerns about deforestation in the region, the government said on Friday.
TRADE & COMMERCE In midst of global recession, Argentina sets out in search of new markets 15-09-2020 18:16 Argentina is looking for new markets for its products in a world sunk in recession. The goal: to raise annual exports from US$65 to US$100 billion, according to government official Jorge Neme.
Bloomberg Argentines are abandoning a trade that hedged currency risk 14-09-2020 16:02 Dollar-linked instruments in the local market are being abandoned amid speculation government will create a weaker parallel exchange rate while giving investors less favourable terms.
MERCOSUR BLOC Lacalle Pou says EU-Mercosur deal 'advances' but not at 'expected speed' 03-09-2020 01:05 Uruguayan leader’s comments just the latest in a series indicating that momentum for the accord has slowed.
EU-MERCOSUR TRADE DEAL Merkel expresses 'significant doubts' over EU-Mercosur trade pact 21-08-2020 14:12 German chancellor expresses "significant doubts" over landmark EU-Mercosur free trade deal, citing concerns over the devastating deforestation of the Amazon rainforest.
BLOOMBERG Brazil, Argentina vow to put tensions aside amid deep slump 21-08-2020 03:49 Argentina's new ambassador to Brazil, veteran Peronist Daniel Scioli, presents credentials to President Jair Bolsonaro in Brasilia.
SINO-ARGENTINE RELATIONS Alberto Fernández planning 'strategic trip' to China in November 19-08-2020 22:44 Peronist leader eyeing potential trip to Asian powerhouse in November. Multi-billion-dollar agreements and the coronavirus pandemic lead agenda for talks with Argentina's leading trade partner. by Juan Luis González
GLOBAL SUPERPOWERS Trade, technology and security at risk in US-China feud 01-08-2020 09:52 Ongoing sharp deterioration in ties between global superpowers poses risks to both China and the United States – and the rest of the world.
TELEWORKING LAW Congress approves law to regulate teleworking 01-08-2020 09:49 Senate grants passage to legislation laying down rules for workers and employers in post-pandemic future , mostly along party lines.
INTERVIEW Robert Jervis: 'There’s a danger of an arms race between the United States and China' 25-07-2020 08:27 Professor of International Relations at Columbia University says Donald Trump’s approach foreign policy reflects his ego and says if Joe Biden wins the election, Democrat would seek to improve Washington’s relationship with Argentina. by Leandro Dario
Interpol operation Mafia fugitives arrested in Palermo in drug-smuggling sting 24-07-2020 16:42 Three alleged members of the Calabrian 'Ndrangheta mafia organisation were arrested in Buenos Aires last week and are now being processed for extradition to Italy. The sting was part of a larger Interpol investigation of 45 members of the organisation who are spread across the world.
EU-MERCOSUR TALKS EU watchdog opens probe into Mercosur trade deal 10-07-2020 12:16 EU Ombudsman Emily O’Reilly confirms investigation will be opened into historic trade deal with Mercosur, after environmental and rights groups complained that the deal does not respect the EU’s legal obligations.
ILLEGAL ESPIONAGE CLAIMS AFI conducted illegal espionage on more than 400 journalists during Macri era 08-06-2020 00:12 Cristina Caamaño, government-appointed trustee of AFI federal intelligence agency, files complaint alleging officials conducted illegal espionage on 500 journalists, academics and business leaders, including two Buenos Aires Times staffers, during the Mauricio Macri administration's time in office.
ECONOMIC INDICATORS China overtook Brazil as Argentina's largest trading partner in April 04-06-2020 02:23 Argentina recorded a surplus of US$98 million with China in April, compared to a US$351 million deficit in the same month of the previous year, says CERA business chamber.
WORLD THE PANDEMIC: GLOBAL VIEWS New Pakistani ambassador waits to get to know his new home 16-05-2020 08:36 Buenos Aires has a new diplomat in town – but he’s stuck in the hotel. Pakistani Ambassador Dr Muhammad Khalid Ejaz arrived just days before Argentina entered its mandatory lockdown and, as he tells the Times, he’s eager to get to work and improve bilateral ties. by James Grainger
Mercosur negotiations Argentina on board for Mercosur trade talks after 'gradual change in discourse' 10-05-2020 10:00 A teleconference this Thursday assessed the courses of action on the Mercosur negotiations already concluded with the European Union, the ongoing negotiations with Canada, Korea, Singapore and Lebanon, and the deepening of agreements already signed with Israel and India.
Coronavirus pandemic Local firms reinvent themselves to survive coronavirus pandemic 04-05-2020 12:58 Thousands of companies across Argentina have been left paralysed by the coronavirus pandemic. Many are reinventing themselves during the crisis as they vie to keep their firms afloat.
FUTURE OF MERCOSUR? EU 'welcomes' Argentina's commitment to Mercosur free-trade deal 28-04-2020 23:58 European Union pleased that Argentina remains engaged in talks over long-awaited free-trade deal, despite decision to withdraw from all future Mercosur trade talks.
MERCOSUR TRADE BLOC Opposition slams government's decision to pull out of Mercosur trade talks 26-04-2020 09:34 Citing economic policy priorities and the effects of the Covid-19 crisis, President Alberto Fernandez’s administration has withdrawn from ongoing and future talks involving the Mercosur trade bloc.
Bloomberg - Long read Trump’s oil deal: the inside story of how a price war ended 13-04-2020 16:13 After a week-long marathon of calls between world leaders and video conferences featuring dozens of energy ministers, this is how the 2020 oil price war was finally ended.
Bloomberg Virus hobbles Argentina's biggest soy exporters – with harvest nearing 24-03-2020 10:59 The world’s biggest exporters of soybean meal and oil are fending off a slew of logistical hurdles as they rush to get ready for the impending harvest in Argentina.
Bloomberg OAS set for showdown over Trump’s Venezuela policy 20-03-2020 18:28 Luis Almagro's re-election to the head of the Organisation of AmericanStates has effectively turned into a test of the popularity of Donald Trump’s hard-line policy against Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro.
Mercosur's integration 'Very important' nations seeking Mercosur trade deals, says Uruguay official 09-03-2020 13:45 Potential trade partners are pursuing regional commercial bloc after a sweeping deal with the European Union showed most of its members are open to business, says Ernesto Talvi.
Drug Trade US report: Colombia coca production still at record high 06-03-2020 12:07 The Trump administration has encouraged the Colombian government to ramp-up its efforts of curbing production through arial herbicide spraying.
Bloomberg US dollars can be another obstacle for US-China farm deal targets 05-03-2020 13:37 Crop traders obsessing over the deadly coronavirus in China may be overlooking another key challenge to the Trump administration’s phase one trade deal: the US dollar.
Wine business Tariffs, coronavirus fears threaten wine show buzz 04-03-2020 12:51 Threatened by Trump's tariffs and the coronavirus epidemic, winegrowers are facing a high level of uncertainty that raises doubts over the future of the industry.
Gruesome discovery Human remains found at Marcelo Balcedo's property in Uruguay 04-03-2020 12:09 Human remains in a state of decomposition were found at the Punta del Este home of Balcedo, a controversial trade unionist who has been accused of money-laundering, smuggling, and arms-trafficking.
BREXITSHAMBLES UK rejects EU trade demands, threatens to walk away 27-02-2020 15:14 UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson's government rebuffed EU demands for common trading standards and fishing right, setting out its red lines for trade talks with the European Union.
Free Trade EU believes Argentina and Mercosur will ratify agreement 26-02-2020 15:17 Brussels maintains that the free trade agreement is "very balanced" and will boost the growth of the economy.
GUEST VOICE China and Argentina’s marriage of convenience 22-02-2020 11:12 Research shows that Argentina has entrenched its historic role as a raw material exporter, with little respect for environmental norms.
ARGENTINA & CHINA Alberto Fernández eyes China in bid to alleviate Argentina’s debt crisis 22-02-2020 10:39 With money tight and funding scarce, President Alberto Fernández is looking east – a move that could see key infrastructure projects restarted and a bolstering of Central Bank reserves. by Fermin Koop
BLOOMBERG Argentina's beef exports to China stumble due to coronavirus 18-02-2020 12:21 South American meat exporters are seeing a sharp slowdown in trade with the Asian nation as the coronavirus disrupts shipments. One industry leader says exports have almost ground to a halt.