Speaking to the media in Buenos Aires, Cáffaro said prospects for PTA negotiations have improved as MERCOSUR is becoming more open to international trade. He noted that the bloc’s recent trade agreement with the European Union, along with its earlier free trade agreement (FTA) with Singapore, shows MERCOSUR is expanding its global network of economic ties.

According to Cáffaro, Singapore sets an important precedent for Vietnam, as it was the first member of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) to reach a trade agreement with MERCOSUR. However, he pointed to differences in negotiation mechanisms between the two blocs, explaining that ASEAN members can pursue negotiations individually, while MERCOSUR requires consensus from all member states.

The MACC president said that if negotiations gain momentum, trade between Vietnam and MERCOSUR in general, and between Vietnam and Argentina in particular, could grow significantly in the coming years. He said bilateral trade turnover between Argentina and Vietnam could double or grow even further in the future.

Cáffaro acknowledged that negotiations would not be easy, as Vietnam still needs to protect certain domestic industries. However, he said prospects for cooperation remain strong thanks to the complementary nature of the two economies. He added that the MERCOSUR-ASEAN Chamber of Commerce is ready to support Vietnam in preparations and efforts to advance trade negotiations with the South American bloc.

Commenting on Vietnam’s development goals in the coming years, Cáffaro said he was impressed by the country’s strategy of prioritizing infrastructure, education, science and technology. According to him, infrastructure investment is essential for sustainable economic growth. Many developing countries, including Indonesia, are also prioritizing infrastructure development to support long-term growth.

Cáffaro also described Vietnam’s young population as a key factor behind the economy’s dynamism and competitiveness. Vietnam’s strong gross domestic product (GDP) growth, which exceeded 8% in 2025, together with estimated per capita income of more than US$5,000 in a country of over 100 million people, shows Vietnam is making strong investments in its future and maintaining highly positive development prospects, he went on.

The MACC President underlined the importance of strengthening South-South relations between Argentina and Vietnam, saying the two countries can cooperate directly without relying on traditional trade hubs such as Europe and the United States.

Regarding bilateral cooperation prospects, Cáffaro said Vietnam has become one of Argentina’s most important trading partners. At one point, Vietnam ranked fifth among Argentina’s trading partners and remains among the country’s leading partners today.

Trade between the two countries is still focused largely on Argentine agricultural commodities such as soybeans and corn flour. However, Cáffaro suggested both sides should move toward a new phase of cooperation with greater technological content and higher added value.

He also highlighted Vietnam as an increasingly important technology partner for Argentina, particularly in electronics, telecommunications and high-tech industries. According to Cáffaro, Argentina has established cooperation with Viettel and has already received two shipments of the group’s technology products with encouraging results.

Looking ahead, he said Argentina could import Vietnamese technology products and industrial equipment, including products from Rang Dong and Hapulico. Argentine businesses are showing growing interest in Vietnamese electrical equipment, lighting products and technology solutions that offer competitive prices and reliable quality.

Cáffaro stated that Vietnam’s rapid industrialization and increasingly modern manufacturing capacity under the “Made in Vietnam” brand are opening up major opportunities for businesses in both countries to expand cooperation in technology, energy and technical infrastructure in the time ahead.

Vietnam, Argentina push for early preferential trade agreement with MERCOSUR

Deputy Minister of Industry and Trade Phan Thi Thang has urged Argentina, as coordinator of negotiations, to accelerate progress towards an early signing of a preferential trade agreement (PTA) between Vietnam and the Southern Common Market (MERCOSUR) following the launch of talks in December 2025.

Mercosur launches preferential trade agreement talks with Vietnam

VOV.VN - Brazilian Foreign Minister Mauro Vieira, during the 67th Mercosur Summit held in Foz do Iguaçu, Brazil, on December 20 announced the launch of negotiations for a Preferential Trade Agreement (PTA) between the Southern Common Market (Mercosur) and Vietnam.