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The other Americans

Latin America reinforces commercial ties in the face of Trump's isolationist policies; Mercosur and the Pacific Alliance look to the European Community

It is just possible that the US president, Donald Trump, will succeed in uniting Latin America. It will not because of his foreign policy but rather his decision to close borders that has enabled the countries of the Southern Cone to contemplate an economic integration so far unheard of. The political scene itself at present could not be more appropriate. The turn towards conservatives in Argentina with Mauricio Macri and in Brazil with Michel Temer, brings them closer than they have been in the last decade, when Latin American countries were separated between progressives and liberals. Trump may well be responsible for finally brining together the continent's two blocks: Mercosur, comprising Argentina, Paraguay and Uruguay; and the Alliance of the Pacific, with Colombia, Chile, Mexico and Peru.

The first meeting Macri had with Michelle Bachelet following Trump's victory, left a clear message: Trump's protectionism is bad news but also an opportunity. Chile has more to lose with Trump than Buenos Aires, as trade with Washington had dropped to 6% of total exports. In contrast, Chile's economic connection with the US was much stronger and as well, Trump's decision to end the planned Transpacific Treaty (TPP), with eleven countries on both sides will have unpredictable consequences in the long term. Mercosur now seems a good opportunity, and the aim is to strengthen ties with Mexico, the Alliance of the Pacific and then look further with perhaps the development of another trans-Pacific venture and definitely close economic ties with the UE. Trump may have done everyone a favour.

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