South America bloc Mercosur agrees to extend exemptions to common external tariff

FILE PHOTO: Delegates and heads of state attend the Summit of Presidents of Mercosur Member and Associate States in Montevideo, Uruguay December 6, 2024. REUTERS/Martin Varela Umpierrez/File Photo

BRASILIA (Reuters) - The member nations of the South American Mercosur trade bloc said in a joint statement on Friday they have agreed to temporarily extend exemptions to the bloc's common external tariff, citing a "challenging international environment".

(Reporting by Lisandra Paraguassu; Writing by Andre Romani; Editing by Anthony Esposito)