Argentina's import restrictions could mean 'end of Mercosur,' Uruguayan Chamber of Industry

The chairman of the Uruguayan Chamber of Industry, Washington Burghi, warned that Argentina’s decision to restrict imports could be “the beginning of the end” for the Mercosur.

“I understand that every country has the right to defend the work of their people. But governments also have the obligation to respect the Mercosur agreements,” Mr. Burghi complained.

“The Argentine government has been making these kinds of decisions for some time now,” he considered, and highlighted that “this latest move is especially concerning since no products that may be made in Argentina can be imported, with the exception of Brazil.”

He said that the latest measure “affects the Uruguayan food and textile sectors,” adding that “he doesn’t understand why Brazilian products have the right to be placed on the supermarket shelves.”

Mr. Burgui warned that Uruguay “should also look after the work of their citizens, and that could mean the beginning of the end for the Mercosur, since agreements are not being honored.”

The chairman said he believed that the Mercosur “has been signed by several countries in the region but it is not being honored.”

“The Uruguayan government is aware of the recent restrictions,” he said, and assured that the business sector is “still analyzing the situation because small countries such as ours must always be open for negotiation.”

The conflict with the Uruguayan industry began after the Ministry of Industry decided to include over 200 imported products in the list of goods that need a special permit to enter the country.

The government justified this measure as a move to “protect national production.”