ISDS Case Map
Uruguay
Free-trade agreement between Uruguay and China would destroy Mercosur by contradicting the bloc's integration policies, declares Brazilian Foreign Minister Mauro Vieira.
South America’s major Mercosur trade bloc, which includes regional powerhouses Brazil and Argentina, has been rattled by one of its smaller members, Uruguay, seeking to strike its own free-trade deals, leaders said.
Uruguay has applied for membership in the 11-nation Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership, in the South American country's latest bid to do more trade with Asia.
Uruguay plans to formally apply to join the Trans-Pacific Partnership free trade agreement, which brings together Japan and other Pacific Rim nations, its president has said.
Uruguayan Foreign Minister Francisco Bustillo is off on a European tour seeking to advance in the signing of the Mercosur-European Union agreement.
The recent Mercosur summit revealed strains in the bloc. As Uruguay moves for a free trade agreement with China, other members discuss consequences and call for unity.
Uruguay and China have decided to enter formal negotiations on a free trade agreement, Uruguayan President Luis Lacalle Pou said.
The Presidents of Ecuador and Uruguay exchanged views on ”the possibility of starting to deal with a bilateral trade agreement.“
The member states were unable to hash out an agreement after Uruguay declined to sign on unless other countries agreed to let it negotiate its own unilateral free trade deals without the blessing of Mercosur nations.
The US intends to increase trade and investments through the TIFA agreement.
