US Congress members propose adding Uruguay to the North American Free Trade Agreement

(From Montevideo, Uruguay) – The draft law entered the Houses of Parliament United States Congress It includes a proposal to consider Uruguay as a new member of the organization Free Trade Agreement Valid between North America, Mexico and CanadaUSMCA (formerly NAFTA). The proposal was submitted by Democratic and Republican lawmakers and promotes the South American country as an “experimental country,” according to the local newspaper. Country.

If the project prospers, the proposal would take effect from 2026, when USMCA member states will discuss the status of the alliance and there will be scope to introduce changes to its current functioning.

The initiative called Law of the AmericasEncourages the creation of a chart Trade and economic relations between the United States and related countries in the Western Hemisphere. Thus, it seeks to strengthen supply chains, encourage investment by North American companies in partner countries and trade integration at the regional level, through increased trade and cooperation between countries.

US lawmakers highlighted Uruguay's democratic quality, respect for human rights and fight against corruption as key pillars to be considered in the North American Congress.

Members of Congress praised the interest of these countries, their levels of economic development, and the relatively smaller size of their economies and populations. From the Uruguayan Embassy, ​​they highlighted that the Law of the Americas “recognizes the image and course of Uruguay and considers it A model partner for the United States and a model case in the region“.

Uruguay's Ambassador to the United States, Andres DuranHe declared that this fact “will constitute a before-and-after point” for the relationship between the two countries because it means “Joining the world's most important free trade agreement“Because it is a trade link with three countries at the same time.

“It is also gratifying to see how Uruguay, its well-established democracy and high standards that it shares in many respects with the United States, is being recognized and departing from this logic that the President said.” (Louis) Lacalle Poe It was once synthesized as “the sin of doing things well”; “In this case, it is clear that our country is being recognized as a model to be followed and encouraged, which is what we celebrate,” Duran said.

The diplomat stressed that approval of the draft law would mean the potential arrival of new investments into the country, a “big change” in international integration and a development-related step.

Meanwhile, Foreign Minister Omar Paganini said seek That suggestion It means a “strong signal” that the government's rapprochement with the United States is bearing fruit. The minister stressed that this proposal is a recognition of the country's “stability” and “democratic values.”

Paganini praised Ambassador Duran's pressure to include Uruguay in the draft law, and noted that the country is part of Alliance for the Economic Prosperity of the Americasproject Joe Biden To enhance its business integration.

“There is a change in the more strategic vision of the United States, which has begun to look more towards the region (after a long time).“, evaluated Paganini.

In June 2023 A proposal has also been submitted by Republican and Democratic senators to Congress. He proposed eliminating customs duties on Uruguayan products. Eliminate visa requirements for business people And start studying to stop asking any citizen for this document.

The initiative requests that Uruguay be immediately included among the countries with access to E1 and E2 visa types, designed for people with some type of business activity and for investors, respectively.

A precedent for this decision is the meeting held by members of the US Congress in April 2023 in Ankorina Presidential Residence With President Lacalle Pou. Robert Menendez, from New Jersey, attended; Tim Kaine, from Virginia; Bill Hagerty, of Tennessee, and Representative Tony Cardenas, of California. Lacalle Pou was accompanied at that meeting by former Foreign Minister Francisco Bustillo and his then partner Lorena Ponce de León.