Bolsonaro's Plan to Prioritize Chile As An Ally Has Argentinians Worried

[Judi Lynn]

Claim that Argentina, a historical ally and trade partner, will no longer be a priority is received with concern at the country

Oct.30.2018 2:59AM

Sylvia Colombo
Mariana Carneiro
BUENOS AIRES and BRASÍLIA

Argentina is worried about a possible withdrawal from Brazil under a Bolsonaro administration. "It's a break from the status quo, but one that possibly Argentina was already expecting," said economist Marcelo Elizondo, a specialist in Mercosul.

On Monday (29th), representative Ony Lorenzoni (DEM-RS), who will likely be Bolsonaro's Chief of Staff, said that Chile would be the president-elect first international destination, breaking with a Brazilian foreign policy tradition in which Argentina had that privilege, no matter the political leanings of any given administration.

Not only that, but Paulo Guedes, the future Minister of Finance, said on Sunday that neither Argentina nor Mercosul would be priorities.

"The idea of Argentina as a secondary player in the Brazilian economy is a shocking one, and it's causing some unease there, but this is the situation at the moment. We need to give it some time," says Elizondo. "Brazil is still Argentina's main trade partner, and Argentina ranks third in Brazilian foreign trade."

More:
https://www1.folha.uol.com.br/internacional/en/world/2018/10/bolsonaros-plan-to-prioritize-chile-as-an-ally-has-argentinians-worried.shtml

[sandensea]

1. To think that when Bolsonaro won, Macri and his regime were elated

Macri himself - aware of the many parallels between his own, dog-whistle filled 2015 campaign and Bolsonaro's - limited his response to perfunctory congratulations.

But Macri's $6 million-a-year troll farm was exultant - a clear sign of what the administration really felt.

Bolsonazi certainly didn't take long to make his intentions known - never mind that Brazil ran an $8.7 billion trade surplus with Argentina last year. No honor among thieves, alas.

Thank you for posting news of this interesting twist, Judi.