Despite trade barriers, Brazil praises moment of 'great political convergence' with Argentina

Brazilian Foreign Minister Antonio Patriota praised the “great political convergence” between Argentina and his country and assured that any existing problems related to the bilateral trade “do not tarnish their strong reality.” 

While speaking before the Senate’s Foreign Relations Committee, he assured that both countries “share their concerns” about trade and added that these are being addressed by both governments as well as the private sectors. 

“It’s a moment of great political convergence between two countries ruled by women who strongly defended their decision to pursue an agenda that promotes social justice and economic growth in order to reduce inequality,” he explained.

According to the minister, the “understanding” between Cristina Fernández de Kirchner and Dilma Rousseff helps them find “constructive roads in order to strengthen a relationship that keeps getting more and more intense” both bilaterally and multilaterally thanks to the Mercosur. 

Patriota attributed the recent complaints related to Argentina’s trade barriers to such an intense relationship. He said, however, that both governments had decided not to allow “any situations arising in the trade sector drive attention away from all the opportunities that such a political confluence has to offer.”

The minister said he appreciated the growing relationship between the private sectors of both countries and mentioned a recent meeting in Sao Paulo that involved 600 Argentine businessmen and members of more than 270 Brazilian companies.