Brazil, Argentina and Paraguay sent a joint note to Uruguay stating they reserved the right to take ‘steps they deem necessary to defend their interests in the legal and commercial spheres’.

The warning made by the three countries is based on MERCOSUR’s guidelines and on the interpretation of a rule setting forth that none of the bloc’s partners can hold trade negotiations unilaterally.

The Uruguayan government announced that it will formally submit a request for accession to the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP).

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