Uruguay seeks deepening trade ties with US during US Secretary of State’s visit

Posted on 11/8/2021 2:58 PM

(Credit: Andrew Hornick)

US Deputy Secretary of State Wendy Sherman met with Uruguayan President Francisco Bustillo today (8) before meeting with President Luis Lacalle Pou during a visit to Montevideo aimed at deepening trade ties.

The Uruguayan president expressed Uruguay’s desire to “deepen economic and trade ties” with the United States, thus “having greater access to Uruguayan products in the US market,” the foreign ministry said in a statement.

According to the text, Sherman expressed his country’s full willingness to deepen the potential for strengthening trade and investment through the framework agreement on investment and trade signed by the two countries in 2007, particularly the framework provided by TIFA.

Lacalle Pou’s government announced in September that it was seeking a bilateral trade agreement with China, which has created tensions in Mercosur, which has been set up by Argentina, Brazil and Paraguay and has traditionally sought to negotiate consensus.

According to the Chancellor, Bustillo “appreciated America’s renewed commitment to pluralism” and “returned it as a member of various international organizations.”

The State Department will hold two meetings this afternoon, including Finance Minister Asusina Arbelech, as well as representatives of the Department of Renewable Energy and members of voluntary organizations working with refugees and migrants.

This Tuesday morning, he will be welcomed by Lockheed Powell at the Executive Tower (Government House), after which he will give a press conference.