Argentina-Japan: Buenos Aires supports economic partnership agreement with Mercosur
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Agenzia Nova | 14 November 2024
Argentina-Japan: Buenos Aires supports economic partnership agreement with Mercosur
Argentina would support the adoption of an economic partnership agreement between the South American trade bloc Mercosur and Japan, it told the daily newspaper “Nikkei” Juan Pazo, secretary for production coordination at Argentina’s Ministry of Economy. The official said Buenos Aires is committed to promoting itself as an investment destination for energy and other industrial sectors. “Japan is one of the largest markets in the world,” Pazo said, adding that a trade deal “would help Japanese companies make stronger investments in the country and the region.” Mercosur is in the final stages of negotiations for a free trade agreement with the European Union. Similar talks have already begun with South Korea, and Japan’s business community, concerned about being left behind, is lobbying Tokyo to also start negotiations with Mercosur.
One obstacle may be beef. Japan currently allows imports only from Argentina’s southern Patagonia region due to concerns about foot-and-mouth disease. Pazo, who holds a powerful position in trade and industry, as well as agriculture, fisheries and small business policy, told “Nikkei” that he discussed beef with Japanese Agriculture Minister Taku Eto when the minister visited Argentina this year. Argentina has taken steps to improve cattle traceability to meet the Japanese government’s demands, Pazo said. Eto “was very encouraging in saying that if we continue with this process (of verifying the safety of Argentine beef), maybe in the short term we could have good news about Argentine beef entering Japan.”
