'Argentina implemented measures that killed Mercosur'

Brazilian businessman Rubens Barbosa, head of the foreign trade council of the Sao Paolo Federation of businessmen said today that in the last six months, the Argentine presidency of the bloc implemented measures that practically killed the Mercosur.

“Argentina will be responsible for the end of Mercosur,” he predicted.

Barbosa added that restrictive measures, trade barriers, higher tariffs to products are against what the accord had stated. Argentine and Brazilian businessmen suffer, products are halted during months in our borders.”

Barbosa clarified “I’m not speaking on behalf of the Government but of the private sector. Restrictions affect companies with Brazilian capitals and Argentine productions. I’m not surprised that Brazil is implementing measures against Argentine imports.”

“Mercosur has become a political forum rather than a trade one. And this concludes with Venezuela becoming a full member without a concrete negotiation, which is rather strange.”