President of Argentina says, however, that the measure is “extreme” and that the group has mechanisms that authorize negotiations
The president of Argentina, Javier Milei (La Libertad Avanza, right), stated that he could leave Mercosur if the bloc prevents the South American country from closing a free trade agreement with the United States.
“If this is the extreme condition, yes. But there are mechanisms that can be used even within Mercosur, so we believe that this can be done without necessarily having to leave [do bloco]”, he said in a published this Wednesday (22.jan.2025).
Mercosur could try to prevent Argentina from negotiating with the United States under the pretext that its members must negotiate trade agreements together so as not to weaken the South American group. However, the bloc does not have a rule that prohibits negotiations.
Argentina and Uruguay. In 2021, Uruguayans also tried to bypass Mercosur for bilateral relations with China. But this did not prosper.
MERCY IS TRUMP
During the interview at Bloombergthe Argentine president also stated that his government is “working hard” to reach an agreement with the United States.
However, he avoided commenting on whether he discussed the topic with US President Donald Trump (Republican), or with members of the US government while he was in Washington DC to participate in the Republican’s inauguration.
Milei also praised the first days of his government. “Trump understands geopolitics very well and uses tariffs as a strategic tool. It’s not that he’s a protectionist.”these.
According to the Argentine leader, it is necessary to see the “playing field” in which Trump operates, that is, the global context and his strategic objectives, to understand the Republican’s actions. “[…] The guidelines he is putting in place create a much better world.”these.
