Argentina's outgoing government rejects EU-Mercosur trade deal, but incoming administration backs it
Argentina’s outgoing government says it will not support the signing of a long-delayed trade deal between the European Union and the South American bloc Mercosur during a summit this week in Brazil even though the incoming Argentine government has expr...
BUENOS AIRES, Argentina — Argentina’s outgoing government said Monday it won't support the signing of a long-delayed trade deal between the European Union and the South American bloc Mercosur during a summit this week in Brazil even thought the incoming Argentine government has expressed support for the deal.
Foreign Minister Santiago Cafiero said the agreement as currently written would restrict Argentinian exports. «It is a bad agreement that has a negative impact on manufacturing and agricultural exports,” Cafiero said in an interview with a local radio station, excerpts of which were later released by the Argentine Foreign Ministry.
Argentina’s position goes against that of neighbor Brazil, which holds the presidency of Mercosur, and Spain, which holds the presidency of the EU. Both have expressed a desire to move forward with the trade treaty during the summit Thursday in Rio de Janeiro.
The Argentine opposition may be short-lived, though. The incoming administration of Argentina’s President-elect Javier Milei has already made clear it supports the agreement. Milei takes office Sunday.
“We have no objections; it is frankly desirable that it goes through,” incoming Foreign Minister Diana Mondino said at a conference for the Industrial Organization of Argentina, a manufacturing trade group. “Much better to have it than not to have it.”
Mondino said she realized there are objections to the agreement from certain sectors but expressed hope that Fernández would push to
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