Mexico sets official complaint against Argentina at WTO

Following similar complaints against Argentina by the European Union, United States and Japan, Mexico has launched its first dispute against Argentina at the World Trade Organization, the WTO said today.

The four complaints centre on Argentina's import licensing rules, which its critics say amount to a blanket restriction on imports and are one of several 'protectionist' policies adopted by the government of President Cristina Fernandez.

The worsening of trade relations between the two Latin American countries follows Argentina's decision to pull out of a car trade pact two months ago.

Argentina's WTO ambassador Cecilia Nahón, defending the country's policies against widespread criticism at the WTO, has also asserted that Argentina cannot be accused of restricting imports when its imports grew by 31 percent in 2011.