News of trade

Milei, Caputo increasing bullish as they outline new IMF deal timeline

19-12-2024 09:50 Argentina eyes fresh accord with the International Monetary Fund in the first third of next year, with President Milei confident of strong support, both at the Fund and on trade, from incoming US president Donald Trump.

Soybean Trade War

Trump trade war to hurt US farmers more as China turns to Brazil

11-12-2024 14:10 Donald Trump’s initial trade war with China devastated American soybean farmers, slashing exports by nearly 80%. As tensions mount for a possible reprise, the stakes are higher: China has diversified its agricultural imports, turning to Brazil, Argentina, and Australia for staples like soy, corn, and cotton.

President's address

Milei vows to axe capital controls and negotiate Trump trade deal

11-12-2024 09:50 President Javier Milei promises to lift capital and currency controls next year and negotiate a free-trade agreement with the United States once Donald Trump takes office.

MILEI'S FIRST YEAR

Milei promises inflation will be a 'bad memory' in first anniversary speech

10-12-2024 23:45 President touts US trade deal with Trump, vows to remove currency controls and says “happy times” lie ahead in national broadcast marking first year in office.

EU-MERCOSUR TRADE DEAL

EU-Mercosur deal will 'mainly' benefit Europe, says Paraguay president

09-12-2024 11:16 New free-trade deal between the European Union and Mercosur bloc will "mainly" benefit Europe, says Paraguay's President Santiago Peña.

EU-MERCOSUR TRADE DEAL

Mercosur and EU announce agreement on free-trade deal

06-12-2024 13:02 Almost 25 years on from the first opening of negotiations, the the EU and Mercosur reach agreement for free-trade deal that will create a market exceeding 700 million people.

EU-MERCOSUR TRADE DEAL

EU reaches long-sought Mercosur deal despite French objections

06-12-2024 12:47 European Union and Mercosur bloc clinch trade deal despite objections of France, which will try to block process; Signing and ratification process could take as long as 18 months.

Mercosur Trade Deal

EU chief lands in South America to close contentious Mercosur deal

05-12-2024 13:21 EU chief Ursula von der Leyen lands in Montevideo at the LXV Mercosur Summit, where the goal is to hopefully close the Mercosur Trade Deal. With France's President Macron expressing his distaste, and Brazil's President Lula in support, there is much to discuss this week.

EU-MERCOSUR TRADE DEAL

EU nears deal with Mercosur as Von Der Leyen heads to summit

05-12-2024 09:02 European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen due in Uruguay to attend Mercosur summit.

MERCOSUR SUMMIT IN MONTEVIDEO

Mercosur members eye sealing of 'historic' free-trade deal with EU

04-12-2024 15:09 Brazil, Argentina, Uruguay and Paraguay are hoping to announce a blockbuster trade deal with the European Union at a regional summit Friday.

EU-MERCOSUR TRADE DEAL

German FM says 'essential' to seal EU-Mercosur deal at Friday summit

03-12-2024 14:44 German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock says it is "essential" that the European Union to finalise a free-trade deal with Latin America's Mercosur this week.

'Pepe' Mujica interview

Mujica: Left’s return to power in Uruguay is ‘a farewell prize’

29-11-2024 11:40 José ‘Pepe’ Mujica is perhaps the most famous Uruguayan in the world, but that doesn't faze him. “I'm not a phenomenon; I'm an ordinary guy with some eccentricities,” says the 89-year-old former president.

ANALYSIS

Milei evaluates Argentina’s future in Mercosur

28-11-2024 15:36 Argentina's government is evaluating its future relationship with the Mercosur trade bloc – the plans it has in mind and the possibilities of a break-up.

EU-MERCOSUR TRADE DEAL

Lula: Brussels, not Paris, will decide EU-Mercosur trade deal

27-11-2024 23:29 Blockbuster deal between the 27-country European Union and Mercosur countries – Brazil, Argentina, Paraguay and Uruguay – will not be decided only by France, declares Lula.

EU-Mercosur Deal

Poland rejects EU-Mercosur deal in current form

26-11-2024 18:48 Poland's Prime Minister rejects the EU-Mercosur deal, joining France in opposition against the free trade deal with South American countries.

MERCOSUR SUMMIT

President Milei to attend first Mercosur Summit in Montevideo

26-11-2024 10:41 After his absence in Asunción, President Javier Milei is set to attend his first Mercosur summit in Montevideo next week; talks will focus on the long-stalled EU free trade deal, though Argentina's leader is expected to criticise the bloc's functioning.

FRENCH LEADER IN LATIN AMERICA

Macron praises EU-Chile trade agreement on Latin America tour

20-11-2024 20:53 French President Emmanuel Macron visits Chilean counterpart Gabriel Boric in Santiago on the last leg of a Latin America tour.

EU-Mercosur Deal

French farmers threaten 'chaos' over proposed EU-Mercosur deal

19-11-2024 13:19 Farmers protest against the free-trade agreement between the European Union and the Latin American countries of Mercosur, with Paris leading the resistance against ratification of the proposed deal.

GEOPOLITICS

US likely to increase focus on LatAm with Rubio as top diplomat

19-11-2024 12:27 Marco Rubio's appointment as the United States' top diplomat has raised expectations that Washington will place greater emphasis on Latin America moving forward.

FRENCH PRESIDENT IN BUENOS AIRES

Macron defends French farmers during talks with Milei

18-11-2024 10:30 French President Emmanuel Macron defends his nation's resistance to the proposed EU-Mercosur trade deal as he visits President Javier Milei in Buenos Aires.

Analysing Argentina

Milei, in the best of all possible worlds

16-11-2024 05:00 Everywhere he looks, Javier Milei sees good news, which he takes as confirmation that he has chosen the right path.

by Marcelo J. García

FOREIGN POLICY & DIPLOMACY

Milei visits Trump’s home turf eyeing free-trade deal with US

14-11-2024 15:36 President travels to Florida to attend CPAC forum at Trump’s Mar-a-Lago resort; Milei seeks US-Argentina free-trade deal, cooperation on intelligence, introduction of “League of Conservative Nations.”

EU-MERCOSUR TRADE DEAL

France says seeking to block EU-Mercosur pact by 'all means'

14-11-2024 13:41 European farmers protest against free-trade agreement with Mercosur bloc. French government attempt to block adoption of trade pact between EU and four South American countries.

Trade tensions

Lula’s embrace of Xi sets up a clash over Trump’s China policy

14-11-2024 12:37 Brazil’s President Lula is advancing a strategic partnership with China, pursuing infrastructure projects to boost Brazil’s economic ties with Asia, despite the risks of upsetting their other largest trade partner: the United States.

EU-MERCOSUR TRADE DEAL

Blocking and Bargaining: France and farmers fight EU-Mercosur trade deal

13-11-2024 15:35 The EU-Mercosur trade deal, which would create the world’s largest free trade zone, is nearing potential ratification after 25 years of negotiation, despite fierce opposition from France and European farmers.

EU-MERCOSUR TRADE DEAL

New push for EU-South America trade deal despite French fury

13-11-2024 10:24 European Union and Mercosur blocs are reviving efforts to finalise an agreement by year’s end, aiming to create the largest free-trade zone globally. European leaders are pushing for swift progress, but France's resistance is becoming more vocal.

EU-MERCOSUR TRADE DEAL

France seeks to rope in Poland to block EU-Mercosur free-trade deal

08-11-2024 19:40 France is hoping to persuade Poland into joining forces to block a sweeping trade deal between the European Union and Latin America’s Mercosur bloc.

EU-MERCOSUR TRADE DEAL

Delayed, stalled... but is EU-Mercosur free-trade deal imminent?

30-10-2024 19:58 Rumours are growing that the long-stalled, much-awaited free-trade deal between the European Union and Mercosur could be announced before the end of the year, perhaps even at next month's G20 summit in Brazil.

CENTRAL BANK MANOUEVRES

Milei taps unseasonal source in search of dollars

30-10-2024 10:06 Faced by a shortage of foreign reserves, the Central Bank is turning to an unusual source of funding for this time of year: a risky trade by crop exporters.

EU-MERCOSUR TRADE DEAL

French minister talks down rumours of imminent EU-Mercosur trade agreement

25-10-2024 21:03 French Minister for Foreign Trade Sophie Primas has revealed to AFP the possibility of an agreement in the coming weeks

EU-MERCOSUR TRADE DEAL

EU ‘very close to closing’ agreement with Mercosur, says Spain PM

23-10-2024 16:20 The European Union is "very close to closing" the long-delayed free-trade agreement with Mercosur trade bloc, said Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez.

FOREIGN POLICY

Xi’s ‘strategic patience’ pays off as Milei U-turns on China ties

10-10-2024 13:20 President Javier Milei has surprised everyone by changing his approach to the Asian giant. Jorge Malena, a specialist in contemporary Chinese politics and international relations, explains the “realism and pragmatism” behind the La Libertad Avanza leader’s shift in stance.

by Cecilia Degl'Innocenti

DIPLOMACY

Argentina's approach to China switches as ideology gives in to interests

07-10-2024 14:00 The Milei administration’s latest political and discursive twist shows that ideology often ends up giving way to interests when it comes to governing.

Economy and U.S

Biden says prolonged US port strike would be ‘man-made disaster’

03-10-2024 11:14 UF President Joe Biden pressures US port employers and shipping lines to restart talks with striking dock workers.

EU-MERCOSUR TRADE DEAL

Macron says free-trade deal with Mercosur is unfair for local farmers

02-10-2024 16:48 French President Emmanuel Macron again criticises Mercosur-European Union free-trade deal with, saying accord would put European companies and agricultural workers at a disadvantage.

EU-MERCOSUR TRADE DEAL

Germany's Scholz urges swift conclusion to EU-Mercosur trade deal

02-10-2024 12:11 "The Mercosur agreement is groundbreaking for diversifying and strengthening the resilience of our economy," states German chancellor as he appeals for a swift conclusion to long-stalled trade deal.

EU-MERCOSUR TRADE DEAL

Scholz makes fresh plea for speedy conclusion to Mercosur talks

02-10-2024 11:55 German Chancellor Olaf Scholz makes a fresh appeal for a swift conclusion to talks over "groundbreaking" EU-Merocosur trade deal.

Labour unrest

Aviation worker strike affects more than 30,000 passengers

13-09-2024 13:59 A strike by pilots and crew demanding salary increases affected more than 30,000 passengers on Friday, according to Aerolineas Argentínas and unions.

DRUG-TRAFFICKING

‘Mochileros de la cocaína’ – Rising numbers of drug ‘mule’ backpackers

12-09-2024 13:00 Farm hands, manual labourers and local guides in the north of Argentina are being coopted by criminal organisations for the overland transfer of drugs across the frontier with Bolivia, crossing mountains and valleys without caring about the weather or the visibility.

by Leonardo Nieva

MERCOSUR TENSIONS

Mercosur-China trade talks must address imbalance, Paraguay says

06-09-2024 11:59 Mercosur would be willing to negotiate a trade agreement with China if it addresses the lopsided commerce between the two trading partners, says Paraguay.

Mercosur trade bloc

Uruguay applauds Argentina’s shift of stance on Mercosur

05-09-2024 13:15 Argentina indicates it is willing to shift its stance on Mercosur trade bloc negotiations, drawing praise from Uruguay.

CUTBACKS AT STATE AIRLINE

Adorni: 1,500 jobs cut at Aerolíneas Argentinas in six months

04-09-2024 17:33 Milei administration has reduced the size of flagship carrier’s payroll by 13%, says presidential spokesperson.

ECONOMY & FOREIGN POLICY

Argentina, US ink accord for ‘cooperation on critical minerals’

23-08-2024 13:31 Argentina and the United States sign memorandum of understanding to strengthen production of "critical minerals" such as lithium that are essential for the energy transition.

PRESIDENT IN GERMANY

Scholz, Milei demand swift deal on EU-Mercosur free-trade pact

23-06-2024 16:05 Chancellor Olaf Scholz received President Javier Milei for talks in Berlin on Sunday in which both leaders discussed closer economic cooperation on trade, renewable energies and climate protection.

LABOUR UNREST

Unions ramp up protests against Milei’s labour reforms

06-05-2024 14:30 Workers' assemblies complicate transport in and around Buenos Aires, with social groups set to demonstrate on Tuesday and the CGT's nationwide strike scheduled for Thursday.

FOREIGN POLICY & ECONOMY

Mondino: Mercosur must open up to ‘agreements with other countries’

17-04-2024 17:16 Argentina's Foreign Minister Diana Mondino calls for modernisation of Mercosur rules and backs push for free-trade deal with China.

FOREIGN POLICY & DIPLOMACY

Mondino warms ties with Brazil, but no Milei-Lula meet on cards

16-04-2024 13:10 "The possibility of a presidential meeting is always present. And we hope that at some point it will happen," Argentina's Foreign Minister Diana Mondino declares after visit to Brasília.

EU-MERCOSUR DEAL

Macron slams 'very bad' EU-Mercosur deal, proposes negotiating new one

28-03-2024 14:48 French President Emmanuel Macron delivers withering remarks about deal that took 20 years to negotiate and suggests ripping it up and starting all over again.

MERCOSUR TRADE DEALS

EFTA euro nations eye Mercosur deal before year-end

22-03-2024 15:00 Parliamentary representatives from European Free Trade Association (Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway, Switzerland) stop in Buenos Aires as part of regional tour focusing on efforts to secure free-trade deal with the Mercosur bloc.

by James Grainger

MERCOSUR TENSIONS

Mercosur tensions: Uruguay rage overshadows hope for EU deal

08-03-2024 11:43 Uruguayan President Luis Lacalle Pou slams Argentina, Brazil governments for blocking his free-trade deal with China; Lula and Spanish PM Sánchez optimistic about long-trailed EU despite impasse.

News of trade

Milei, Caputo increasing bullish as they outline new IMF deal timeline

Trump trade war to hurt US farmers more as China turns to Brazil

Milei vows to axe capital controls and negotiate Trump trade deal

Milei promises inflation will be a 'bad memory' in first anniversary speech

EU-Mercosur deal will 'mainly' benefit Europe, says Paraguay president

Mercosur and EU announce agreement on free-trade deal

EU reaches long-sought Mercosur deal despite French objections

EU chief lands in South America to close contentious Mercosur deal

EU nears deal with Mercosur as Von Der Leyen heads to summit

Mercosur members eye sealing of 'historic' free-trade deal with EU

German FM says 'essential' to seal EU-Mercosur deal at Friday summit

Mujica: Left’s return to power in Uruguay is ‘a farewell prize’

Milei evaluates Argentina’s future in Mercosur

Lula: Brussels, not Paris, will decide EU-Mercosur trade deal

Poland rejects EU-Mercosur deal in current form

President Milei to attend first Mercosur Summit in Montevideo

Macron praises EU-Chile trade agreement on Latin America tour

French farmers threaten 'chaos' over proposed EU-Mercosur deal

US likely to increase focus on LatAm with Rubio as top diplomat

Macron defends French farmers during talks with Milei

Milei, in the best of all possible worlds

Milei visits Trump’s home turf eyeing free-trade deal with US

France says seeking to block EU-Mercosur pact by 'all means'

Lula’s embrace of Xi sets up a clash over Trump’s China policy

Blocking and Bargaining: France and farmers fight EU-Mercosur trade deal

New push for EU-South America trade deal despite French fury

France seeks to rope in Poland to block EU-Mercosur free-trade deal

Delayed, stalled... but is EU-Mercosur free-trade deal imminent?

Milei taps unseasonal source in search of dollars

French minister talks down rumours of imminent EU-Mercosur trade agreement

EU ‘very close to closing’ agreement with Mercosur, says Spain PM

Xi’s ‘strategic patience’ pays off as Milei U-turns on China ties

Argentina's approach to China switches as ideology gives in to interests

Biden says prolonged US port strike would be ‘man-made disaster’

Macron says free-trade deal with Mercosur is unfair for local farmers

Germany's Scholz urges swift conclusion to EU-Mercosur trade deal

Scholz makes fresh plea for speedy conclusion to Mercosur talks

Aviation worker strike affects more than 30,000 passengers

‘Mochileros de la cocaína’ – Rising numbers of drug ‘mule’ backpackers

Mercosur-China trade talks must address imbalance, Paraguay says

Uruguay applauds Argentina’s shift of stance on Mercosur

Adorni: 1,500 jobs cut at Aerolíneas Argentinas in six months

Argentina, US ink accord for ‘cooperation on critical minerals’

Scholz, Milei demand swift deal on EU-Mercosur free-trade pact

Unions ramp up protests against Milei’s labour reforms

Mondino: Mercosur must open up to ‘agreements with other countries’

Mondino warms ties with Brazil, but no Milei-Lula meet on cards

Macron slams 'very bad' EU-Mercosur deal, proposes negotiating new one

EFTA euro nations eye Mercosur deal before year-end

Mercosur tensions: Uruguay rage overshadows hope for EU deal

Milei’s ‘chainsaw’ cut nearly 35,000 public-sector jobs in 2024

Milei, Reagan and the 20% enemy rule

Quite soon there will be nobody left

Milei vows to promote nuclear energy in Argentina

Milei’s ‘we want it all’ moment

Gildo Insfrán desafió a la Corte Suprema: "Ningún porteño nos va a indicar quién gobernará Formosa"

Cambios en los ministerios, reforma electoral y achique de estructuras para 2025 en CABA

5 muertos y más de 200 heridos: detuvieron a un médico saudí por el atropello masivo en un mercado navideño en Alemania

Así fue el atropello masivo en un mercado navideño de Alemania

Dura respuesta de la Corte a las acusaciones de Lorenzetti y las críticas de Guillermo Francos