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Cruciales dilemas del MERCOSUR

de Clarín - Nota - Opinión - Pag. 17 - Tribuna

Raúl Bernal Meza
PROFESOR DE RELACIONES INTERNACIONALES (UBA-UNC)

Doha separa a Brasil y Argentina. No sólo es el nivel de apertura, sino también la inserción internacional basada en calidades de poder tangible e intangible que los distancian. El poder de negociación internacional de Brasil crece; Argentina, desde los 90, sufre una devaluación significativa del mismo. Cristina Kirchner mantiene la estrategia de priorizar el Mercosur como instrumento de negociación; estrategia que la diferencia –porque se apoya en el bloque– del Brasil, un `global player’.

Para Argentina, al sur del Río Bravo es "Latinoamérica". Para Brasil ésta no existe; pone su atención en América del Sur. Lo demás es "zona de influencia norteamericana".

Con Lula, Brasil busca un liderazgo que Itamaraty antes rechazó. Sus formuladores pretenden construir un nacionalismo moderno, que acepte el rol hegemónico global de EE.UU., pero que amplíe sus espacios de negociación para aumentar poder.

El canciller brasileño, Celso Amorim –que dicen aspira a suceder al actual Director de la OMC– reconoció que Brasil había decidido actuar unilateralmente. "No podíamos quedar rehenes de la posición argentina", dijo, y ofreció espacios comerciales en el Mercocosur. Pero el mismo día Lula liberó US$ 1.950 millones en créditos, a bajísima tasa anual del 7% y a diez años plazo, para empresas manufactureras que son las que más exportan a Argentina.Los negociadores argentinos advirtieron bien que la posición más flexible del Brasil crea divisiones entre los principales socios.

Si Brasil no revisa su posición, debería ser necesaria una discusión sobre el Arancel Externo Común que protege a los sectores industriales. Una mayor flexibilidad atenta contra esa protección. Con realismo Lula dijo: "Todos los Estados pueden trabajar en forma conjunta. Pero ninguno abandona su soberanía. Argentina tiene sus intereses y Brasil los suyos".

En los hechos, Brasil se alineó con EE.UU. y la UE.; Argentina se pasó al bando liderado por India y China. Decisiones que señalan lo difícil que está siendo concertar políticas entre ambos países. La visita de Lula fue un gesto hacia Argentina.

Pero la ausencia de declaración conjunta confirma la falta de coincidencias.

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