Uruguayans divided on free trade agreement
Angus Reid Global Monitor : Polls & Research
Uruguayans Divided on Free Trade Agreement
October 26, 2006
Adults in Uruguay are split over a proposed commerce deal with the United States, according to a poll by Interconsult published in Últimas Noticias. 49 per cent of respondents oppose signing the free trade agreement, while 43 per cent are in favour.
Tabaré Vázquez-nominee for the leftist Progressive Encounter (EP)-won the October 2004 election with 50.45 per cent of the vote, becoming the first Uruguayan president to represent a political organization other than the Red Party (PC) and the National Party-Whites (PC-B).
The president officially took over in March 2005, and began his government with majorities in the Chamber of Deputies-with 52 lawmakers in the 99-seat lower house-and the Chamber of Senators-with 18 legislators in the 31-seat upper house.
On Oct. 3, the first round of negotiations toward a free trade deal between Uruguay and the U.S. came to an end in Montevideo. While Vázquez has said he wants to expand commerce with the U.S.-while not particularly signing an agreement at this time-some members of the EP coalition have accused him of ceding national sovereignty.
In 2005, Uruguay exported $767 million U.S. in goods to the United States, while importing $259 million U.S. from the North American country.
Polling Data
Do you support or oppose signing a free trade agreement with the United States?
| Support | 43% |
| Oppose | 49% |
| Not sure | 8% |
Source: Interconsult / Últimas Noticias
Methodology: Interviews to 846 Uruguayan adults, conducted from Oct. 14 to Oct. 16, 2006. Margin of error is 3 per cent.
