Mercosur countries agree to expand exemptions to foreign tariffs

BUENOS AIRES, July 2 (Reuters) - Countries in the South American Mercosur bloc trade bloc agreed to broaden exceptions to common external tariffs, a spokesperson for Argentina's foreign ministry said on Wednesday, allowing countries to add up to 50 exemptions to the existing regimes.

Brazil and Argentina currently have around 100 exceptions, while Uruguay and Paraguay have around 400. Argentina had sought the increase in exemptions to help facilitate a trade deal with the United States.