The Argentine Minister of Economy, Sergio Massasaid this Monday that “Uruguay is one of the smaller brothers of Mercosur” and assured that “Brazil and Argentina have a responsibility to take care of it”when asked about the intentions of easing of the block From Uruguay.
“I believe that Uruguay is one of the smaller brothers of Mercosur, and Brazil and Argentina have the responsibility of taking care of it, like all smaller brothers”affirmed Massa, in a press conference that he shared with his Brazilian counterpart fernando haddad in the framework of the celac summit (Community of Latin American and Caribbean States) in Buenos Aires.
The statements by the Argentine Secretary of State come in the midst of a long-standing discussion between Uruguay and Argentina for the bloc’s flexibility: while Uruguay aspires to be able to negotiate with third partieslike China, without the endorsement or company of the entire Mercosur, Argentina affirms that the idea escapes the regulations of the group.
Da Silva’s response to Sergio Massa
Massa’s word already had an impact in Uruguay: the white senator sebastian da silva responded on Twitter that he doesn’t think so “No Uruguayan wants to be careful with an economy minister who has a dollar trading at 350 pesos”. “by private I’ll give you Azucena Arbeleche’s phone. Call her, she will give you some sensible advice,” added the pro-government legislator.
Thanks @SergioMassa. But I don’t think any Uruguayan wants to be careful with an economy minister who has a dollar trading at 350 pesos. I’ll give you the phone number of Azucena Arbeleche privately. Call her and she will give you some sensible advice pic.twitter.com/vAGLPo65AM
—Sebastian Da Silva (@camboue) January 24, 2023
The debate for a common Mercosur currency
The Argentine and Brazilian Economy Ministers met to reinforce the intention of a common currency between both countries, an idea that was presented by the presidents Alberto Fernández and Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva in the last days, and that several experts from Uruguay rejected it.
“The decision of both governments and both ministries is to start working, take a first step on a long road that we must travel in the goal of a common currency for both countries”, announced Massa.
The Argentine reported that the countries made progress on “common documents” to achieve a “common currency, not a single one”. “Its main objective is that let’s have a common trading mechanism,” explained.
For his part, Haddad also clarified that a single currency is not being sought, but “a financial integration that allows guarantees for buyers and sellers that they are not at risk of default”. In addition, he stated that the idea “It has no name or implementation deadlines.”
