Paraguay's Foreign Minister, Rubén Ramírez Lezcano, reaffirmed on Thursday Paraguay's willingness to negotiate trade agreements with China, but with one condition: that diplomatic relations with Taiwan be maintained. The statement was made during the review of Paraguay's pro tempore presidency of Mercosur at the regional bloc's summit.
Ramírez Lezcano emphasized that China is a member of the World Trade Organization (WTO) and that Paraguay is open to commercial dialogue, provided there is no pressure on its ties with Taiwan, the island's sole diplomatic partner in South America. "We do not refuse to establish trade relations with China, but without conditions regarding Taiwan," he stated.
The Foreign Minister also mentioned progress in negotiations between Mercosur and Japan for an economic partnership agreement, driven by President Santiago Peña's visit to the Asian country during the Osaka World Expo. "There has been significant progress toward launching this agreement," he said.
Other highlights of the summit included the implementation of benefits for authorized economic operators, aimed at streamlining border trade, and progress toward Bolivia's full incorporation into Mercosur, with the legislative adaptation deadline extended until 2028. "We have made substantial progress in Bolivia's integration," Ramírez Lezcano affirmed.