Argentine Chancellor highlights Mercosur's progress toward agreements with Japan and Vietnam

Argentina's Foreign Minister Pablo Quirno highlighted significant advancements in Mercosur's pursuit of trade agreements with Japan and Vietnam during the Common Market Council meeting in Asunción. He emphasized that the South American bloc faces the crucial challenge of "opening up to the world."

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Today we announce the launch of negotiations for a free trade agreement with Japan, we agreed to start negotiations with Vietnam, whose first round will take place in August this year in Buenos Aires, and we agreed to advance negotiations with India.

Quirno announced the launch of free trade negotiations with Japan and confirmed the agreement to commence talks with Vietnam, with the first round scheduled for August in Buenos Aires. Additionally, Mercosur will advance negotiations with India. "Thanks to the launch of these negotiations, we will improve the access of our products and services to a combined market of almost 1.7 billion people, representing 8% of global GDP and 21% of the world's population," Quirno stated.

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The bloc faces a historic challenge: opening up to the world.

He underscored Argentina's commitment to a "more modern, flexible Mercosur oriented towards generating concrete opportunities for trade, investment, and growth." The minister added that Argentina supports all initiatives that promote more trade, freedom, and openness.

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We need a simpler tariff, regulatory convergence, and more trade agreements to be able to compete.

Meanwhile, Argentine President Javier Milei decided not to attend the upcoming presidential summit. He will remain in Buenos Aires to focus on administrative matters and prepare for the swearing-in of his new Chief of Staff, Diego Santilli. Foreign Minister Quirno will represent Argentina at the summit, joining leaders from Brazil, Bolivia, Paraguay, and Uruguay, as well as representatives from associate states.

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Thanks to the launch of these negotiations, we will improve the access of our products and services to a combined market of almost 1.7 billion people, representing 8% of global GDP and 21% of the world's population.