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Our columnists

Detlef Nolte

Associate research at the German Institute for Gobal and Area Studies - GIGA (Hamburg, Germany) and the German Council on Foreign Relations (DGAP). He was Director of the Inst. for Latin American Studies and Vice President of the GIGA.

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Against the Tide: The EU-Mercosur Agreement and Trump’s Trade Policy

The signing and ratification of the agreement by the Mercosur states is largely expected; it now depends on the European Union to seize the opportunity to position itself as the antithesis of Trump’s trade policy and reaffirm its role as a regulatory power.

Latin America in international politics: Active non-alignment or peripheral opportunism?  

In the conflict between the US and China, Latin American governments should not take sides, but should be guided exclusively by their national interests and take advantage of the competition between the two superpowers.

Hypocrisy and protectionism stall the EU-Mercosur agreement

There are windows of opportunity to make progress in stalled diplomatic negotiations. But it is also important to seize the moment.

UNASUR: from Magical Regionalism to Pragmatic Regionalism

Despite statements and studies supposedly showing that UNASUR is alive, there are no signs of resurgence or life.

The EU-CELAC Summit between lights and shadows

Coauthor María Victoria Alvarez The Summit left a bittersweet feeling, presenting opportunities and challenges for both sides.

Mexico and Brazil’s double standards in their foreign policy

The ambiguous foreign policies of Brazil and Mexico give the impression of a lack of principles that do not facilitate regional cooperation and integration processes.

Ukraine divides Latin America and the EU, hindering a strategic partnership

The war in Ukraine divides the EU and Latin America. What from a Latin American perspective seems a matter of political choice, for Europe is a matter of necessity.

A new Unasur: is this a zombie’s return?

Recently, a group of former South American presidents, former ministers and intellectuals sent a letter to the current presidents to demand "the reconstruction of an effective space for South American cooperation".

Summits are unnecessary when democratic credibility is sacrificed

After a four-year break, a Summit is once again being organized, but Joe Biden's administration prepared it late and poorly.

War in Ukraine impacts relations between Latin America and the European Union

The economic consequences of the war in Ukraine may be the starting point for closer and broader economic relations between Latin America and the EU.