Lobbying senator Guido Manini Ríos referred this Tuesday to the FTA (FTA) that the government seeks to seal with China, whose feasibility study came to an end to start the formal negotiation.
Regarding the subject, Manini understands that until the details are known, he cannot say “if it is good or bad.” However, he emphasized the need for Uruguay to remain within Mercosur and that this FTA, or any other, not be a reason for rupture with the other members of the regional bloc.
«The priority is to maintain our participation in Mercosur. It cannot be that an FTA, be it with whomever it may be, generates our break with Mercosur”, maintained the legislator. He added that the government will seek to stay in the bloc “and make trade deals with as many countries as possible.”
When asked if he is against the commercial opening, Manini Ríos assured that he is not, but he considers it a priority not to move away from the region.
Last Wednesday, President Luis Lacalle Pou announced that the feasibility study of a Free Trade Agreement (FTA) with China, begun in September 2021, concluded “positively” and that, therefore, Uruguay began “formally negotiations for a free trade agreement.