United States Congressmen Propose Adding Uruguay to the North American Free Trade Agreement

United States congressmen have introduced a bill that seeks to integrate Uruguay into the North American free trade agreement, known as USMCA (ex-NAFTA).
The proposal, backed by both Democratic and Republican lawmakers, positions Uruguay as a “pilot country” to be incorporated from 2026, during discussions on the current status and possible modifications of the agreement between the United States, Mexico and Canada.
The bill, called the Americas Act, aims to establish a closer framework of trade and economic relations between the United States and like-minded countries in the Western Hemisphere.
It seeks to strengthen supply chains, encourage investment by U.S. companies in partner countries, and promote regional trade integration through increased trade and cooperation among states.
The U.S. congressmen highlighted Uruguay’s democratic quality, its respect for human rights and its commitment to fighting corruption as central foundations for consideration in Congress.
In addition, they praised the economic development achieved by Uruguay, despite the relatively small size of its economy and population.
The Uruguayan embassy stressed that the Americas Act recognizes Uruguay as a model partner for the United States and an example in the region, highlighting the image and trajectory of the South American country.
The Ambassador of Uruguay to the United States, Andrés Durán, emphasized that this step would be significant for the bilateral relationship, by allowing Uruguay to integrate into the most important trade agreement in the world, establishing ties with three countries simultaneously.
In Durán’s words, the approval of this project would represent a milestone in bilateral relations, potentially attracting new investments and marking a substantial change in Uruguay’s international insertion, contributing significantly to its economic and commercial development.