* Tensions between Uruguay and the rest of the members of the Southern Common Market (Mercosur) trade bloc which also includes Argentina, Brazil and Paraguay, have re-emerged at the 5-6 December summit which took place in Uruguay’s capital Montevideo.
These tensions have arisen over Uruguay’s plans to join the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP) trade deal and seek a unilateral free trade agreement (FTA) with China – which violates Mercosur rules. At the summit, which saw Uruguay hand over the pro-tempore presidency to Argentina, Argentina’s foreign minister,
Santiago Cafiero, was cited by the media as warning that the “
unilateral path being taken could result in a rupture” – concerns that were also expressed by top officials from Brazil and Paraguay.
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