Uruguay ratified before Mercosur that it will advance in free trade agreements with China

The President of Uruguay, Luis Lacalle Pou, reaffirmed that his government will advance individually in the negotiations for a free trade agreement with China, in the face of the conflicting positions of the Mercour partners. “We are not going to amputate that right,” he said.

The President began his speech at the plenary session of the LX Summit of Heads of State of Mercosur and Associated States, which is being held in person in Paraguay after two years of virtual meetings, with a frontal message: “It is important to be honest, I am glad that things are being said here as they should be said. You have to understand and be understood.”

Read also: Check out our coverage on Uruguay

Later, he highlighted the message given the day before by the Brazilian foreign minister, with a message of “modernization and flexibility.” With this framework, he indicated that Uruguay has already completed the feasibility studies for a trade agreement with China.

“It is not an initiative of this government, but of two, three governments backwards. It is a national sentiment”, he defended.

According to him, he assured that when the negotiations advance, he will invite the other countries of the bloc to the table. “The first thing we want to do is talk to the Mercosur partners, all go together. (We want) to advance in that sense, and if we can go with the partners, the better. We will invite them to join as a block with more negotiating power”, he added.

In the event that there is no common position, Lacalle Pou clarified that this will not stop the negotiations in Uruguay. “If not, we will move forward. This does not violate or break the association. There will be another Argentine president, another Brazilian, another Uruguayan, and Mercosur will continue to exist. We understand the other countries, but we ask for understanding in this case,” he said.

Lacalle quoted the words expressed by the Argentine President, Alberto Fernández, affirming that it is clear that the back is wider with Mercosur and its attractions, but he also rescued the concept of protection expressed by his counterpart. “I have no doubt that the best way to protect ourselves, to protect my people, is by opening myself up to the world. That explains the steps of Uruguay, which asks to be understood,” he added.

For the full picture, see our Mercosur EU Trade Deal: Complete Guide.