Ratify Mercosur or risk losing South America to China, Uruguay warns EU

Uruguay's foreign minister, Mario Lubetkin, is urging the EU to swiftly ratify the Mercosur trade agreement, warning that failure to do so could see South America turning to China for trade opportunities. Lubetkin's comments come amid rising geopolitical tensions in the Western Hemisphere, where the influence of the U.S. has been waning. This move by Uruguay highlights the broader strategic importance of the Mercosur bloc and the potential economic and political shifts that could result if the EU doesn't act soon. The stakes are high, as a deal with Mercosur could solidify the EU's economic foothold in the region, while inaction could see South America increasingly aligning with China's economic interests.