Argentina wants a leading role in latest regional trade proposal

Argentina expressed interest in joining the South American Free Trade Area announced by Brazil in Mar 1994, even though the regional free trade proposal lacked a clear framework. Argentina's grain exporters, farmers and maritime executives believe that Pres Carlos Menem is interested in free trade groups not as tools for trade promotion but for political gain. This is suggested from the way Menem and his advisers had been promoting Argentina's membership in existing and proposed trade groups in Latin America without any clear policy.