Mercosur members, Colombia reach trade deal
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The deal, reached during a summit in Mendoza, Argentina between Mercosur members Argentina, Brazil, Paraguay and Uruguay, will allow a previously agreed deal between Argentina and Colombia waiving tariffs on car imports to enter into force, a spokesman for Argentina'sProduction Ministry said.
Argentina will be able to ship some 12,500 vehicles to Colombia without tariffs in the first year. The quota will increase gradually to reach 42,000 in the fourth year, representing a $700 million market.
"We will no longer have to pay tariffs so our cars can enter the Colombian market. More industry and more jobs for Argentina," Production Minister Francisco Cabrera said on Twitter on Friday.
On Friday, Colombia'sTrade, Industry and Tourism Ministry said in a statement that Colombia could export 42,000 vehicles tariff-free to Argentina and up to 50,000 to Brazil.
It added that the deal will allow it to send 31,000 tonnes of tariff-free agrochemicals to Argentina, representing some $434 million. ■