Uruguay is using a potential deal with China to pressure Brazil into fulfilling old promises.

247 - Os Brazilian and Uruguayan presidents On Wednesday (25), they discussed a series of mutually beneficial bilateral initiatives, including the modernization of the airport in the city of Rivera, on the border with Brazil, the construction of a bridge over the Jaguarão River, in Rio Grande do Sul, and the Lagoa Mirim waterway, to transport cargo between the two countries. The projects are fundamental so that Brazil does not continue to lose relevance in its neighborhood.

The journalist Marcelo Zero, columnist for Brazil 247He drew attention to the case of the bridge and the waterway in particular. According to him, Montevideo is using the prospect of a potential free trade agreement with China to pressure Brazil into fulfilling these old promises, while Beijing intensifies its investments throughout the region.

"The agreement was signed in 2007, went through the long legislative process, and was enacted in 2013. However, until now, the bridge hasn't left the drawing board. The old bridge, the Barão de Mauá, which is 92 years old, cannot handle heavy traffic and needs renovation," he pointed out. 

"This and other delays in bilateral projects, such as the one concerning the Lagoa Mirim waterway, vital for connecting rice production in northern Uruguay to the port of Rio Grande, are generating resentment in our neighbor." 

"Meanwhile, China is investing heavily in Uruguay. For example, the construction of the large power transmission ring in northern Uruguay, which includes a line connecting Tacuarembó to Salto, will be carried out by the China Machinery Engineering Corporation (CMEC). It should be noted that China is already Uruguay's main trading partner. In 2021, China absorbed 28% of Uruguayan exports. In second place was Brazil, with a distant 16%." 

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