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Chinese Vice Premier Meets Uruguayan President in Montevideo
After the meeting between Orsi and Ding Xuexiang, an agreement was signed between the two countries
Uruguayan President Yamandú Orsi met this week at Suárez’s residence with a high-level Chinese delegation, led by Vice Prime Minister Ding Xuexiang, to discuss international politics and global trade. The meeting culminated in the signing of several economic, technical and commercial cooperation agreements.
Uruguayan Foreign Minister Mario Lubetkin, who also attended the meeting, said his country and China maintain a comprehensive strategic partnership, the highest level of agreement China has with a country in Latin America and the Caribbean. Uruguay also participates in Beijing’s Belt and Road Initiative.
China has been Uruguay’s main trading partner for the last 14 years. Trade volume grew 29% in favor of Uruguay in 2024, with an increase of 14% recorded until August 2025.
After the meeting, Ding Xuexiang confirmed China’s interest in hosting President Orsi before March 2026, together with Uruguayan business leaders, to promote commercial cooperation and conclude long-term agreements in the economic, commercial, scientific, cultural, technical and innovation sectors.
The documents signed this Tuesday include a general economic and technical cooperation agreement and the implementation of a single window for international trade, in order to simplify customs procedures. Likewise, China has expressed its interest in exploring future understandings on environmental and sporting issues.
It is worth noting that Uruguay will assume the rotating presidency of the Community of Latin American and Caribbean States (CELAC) in 2026, in addition to that of the Southern Common Market (Mercosur) in the second half of next year.
In an interview with Sputnik this Thursday, Uruguayan foreign affairs expert Marcos Soto highlighted the possibility of his country pressuring Mercosur to strengthen its relationship with China, potentially including a Free Trade Agreement (FTA).
Since 2016, Uruguay has sought to be the gateway to an FTA between China and Mercosur. However, the reluctance of Argentina and Brazil (due to their industrial protectionist traditions) prevented both a bloc-level agreement and Uruguay’s attempts to reach a bilateral agreement. Mercosur’s statutes require the approval of all its members for these pacts. Soto also highlighted that there is still no clear consensus within Mercosur for a trade agreement, despite good relations between China and Brazil.
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