Together, but not so much:

a tour through the agenda of external trade negotiations of MERCOSUR (1991-2015)

Abstract

The aim of this paper is to analyze the development of the external dimension of MERCOSUR during the period 1991- 2015. This dimension is integrated by four subagendas, namely: a) the negotiations of the historical heritage; b) the negotiations with third-partners in the axis North/South; c) the negotiations with third-partners in the axis South/South; d) the negotiations in multilateral organizations. It is argued that MERCOSUR has had a limited performance in its external action. Intrabloc coordination problems have eroded the negotiating capacity; and as regards of the results achieved, once passed the negotiations of the ALADI, the coverage in terms of trade volume of the new agreements that have been concluded is low.