THE NEW YORK TIMES: Uruguay Saw Opportunity in China. It Got Schooled in the Hazards of Trade.


Uruguay’s pursuit of a trade deal with China has angered its powerful neighbors while failing to yield economic gains.


Text by Peter S. Goodman

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The gauchos move a herd of Wagyu-Angus bull-calves that drink in a lake on the El Alamo estancia in Velazquez, Uruguay, on Tuesday, June 13, 2023. Photographer: Sarah Pabst for The New York Times

The gauchos move a herd of Wagyu-Angus bull-calves that drink in a lake on the El Alamo estancia in Velazquez, Uruguay, on Tuesday, June 13, 2023. Photographer: Sarah Pabst for The New York Times 

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Wagyu-Angus bull-calves stand on a meadow on the El Alamo estancia in Velazquez, Uruguay, on Monday, June 12, 2023. Photographer: Sarah Pabst for The New York Times

Wagyu-Angus bull-calves stand on a meadow on the El Alamo estancia in Velazquez, Uruguay, on Monday, June 12, 2023. Photographer: Sarah Pabst for The New York Times 

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Gaucho Ignacio Valerio tames a young horse on the El Alamo estancia in Velazquez, Uruguay, on Monday, June 12, 2023. Photographer: Sarah Pabst for The New York Times

Gaucho Ignacio Valerio tames a young horse on the El Alamo estancia in Velazquez, Uruguay, on Monday, June 12, 2023. Photographer: Sarah Pabst for The New York Times

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Gaucho Juan Martin Zerboni pets the prize-winning Wagyu bull at the El Alamo estancia in Velazquez, Uruguay, on Tuesday, June 13, 2023. Photographer: Sarah Pabst for The New York Times

Gaucho Juan Martin Zerboni pets the prize-winning Wagyu bull at the El Alamo estancia in Velazquez, Uruguay, on Tuesday, June 13, 2023. Photographer: Sarah Pabst for The New York Times

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Owner Jorge Gonzalez stands for a portrait in the Solis slaughterhouse in Lavalleja, Uruguay, on Thursday, June 15, 2023. Photographer: Sarah Pabst for The New York Times

Owner Jorge Gonzalez stands for a portrait in the Solis slaughterhouse in Lavalleja, Uruguay, on Thursday, June 15, 2023. Photographer: Sarah Pabst for The New York Times

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Gaucho Juan Martin Zerboni moves a herd of Wagyu-Angus bull-calves through the corrals at El Alamo estancia for vaccines, weight, and to read their chip in Velazquez, Uruguay, on Tuesday, June 13, 2023. Photographer: Sarah Pabst for The New York Times

Gaucho Juan Martin Zerboni moves a herd of Wagyu-Angus bull-calves through the corrals at El Alamo estancia for vaccines, weight, and to read their chip in Velazquez, Uruguay, on Tuesday, June 13, 2023. Photographer: Sarah Pabst for The New York Times 

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Gaucho Alvaro Delgado gallops over a bridge while moving a herd of Wagyu-Angus bull-calves on the El Alamo estancia in Velazquez, Uruguay, on Tuesday, June 13, 2023. Photographer: Sarah Pabst for The New York Times

Gaucho Alvaro Delgado gallops over a bridge while moving a herd of Wagyu-Angus bull-calves on the El Alamo estancia in Velazquez, Uruguay, on Tuesday, June 13, 2023. Photographer: Sarah Pabst for The New York Times 

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A crane at the port of Montevideo, Uruguay, on Thursday, June 15, 2023. Photographer: Sarah Pabst for The New York Times

A crane at the port of Montevideo, Uruguay, on Thursday, June 15, 2023. Photographer: Sarah Pabst for The New York Times 

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Crane operator Pablo Mendez overlooks the port of Montevideo, Uruguay, on Thursday, June 15, 2023. Photographer: Sarah Pabst for The New York Times

Crane operator Pablo Mendez overlooks the port of Montevideo, Uruguay, on Thursday, June 15, 2023. Photographer: Sarah Pabst for The New York Times 

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Sun sets behind stackers in the port of Montevideo, Uruguay, on Thursday, June 15, 2023. Photographer: Sarah Pabst for The New York Times

Sun sets behind stackers in the port of Montevideo, Uruguay, on Thursday, June 15, 2023. Photographer: Sarah Pabst for The New York Times 

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Economist Pablo da Rocha stands for a portrait in the hall of the (main labor union federation) PIT-CNT, in Montevideo, Uruguay, on Thursday, June 15, 2023. Photographer: Sarah Pabst for The New York Times

Economist Pablo da Rocha stands for a portrait in the hall of the (main labor union federation) PIT-CNT, in Montevideo, Uruguay, on Thursday, June 15, 2023. Photographer: Sarah Pabst for The New York Times

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(From left to right) Gauchos Juan Martin Zerboni and Ignacio Cabrera open and close gates, weigh and register a herd of Wagyu-Angus bull calves in the corrals at El Alamo in Velazquez, Uruguay, on Tuesday, June 13, 2023. Photographer: Sarah Pabst for The

(From left to right) Gauchos Juan Martin Zerboni and Ignacio Cabrera open and close gates, weigh and register a herd of Wagyu-Angus bull calves in the corrals at El Alamo in Velazquez, Uruguay, on Tuesday, June 13, 2023. Photographer: Sarah Pabst for The New York Times 

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The horse’s tail is braided and tied traditionally on a work day in the early morning on the El Alamo estancia in Velazquez, Uruguay, on Tuesday, June 13, 2023. Photographer: Sarah Pabst for The New York Times

The horse’s tail is braided and tied traditionally on a work day in the early morning on the El Alamo estancia in Velazquez, Uruguay, on Tuesday, June 13, 2023. Photographer: Sarah Pabst for The New York Times 

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Working tools at the El Alamo estancia in Velazquez, Uruguay, on Tuesday, June 13, 2023. Photographer: Sarah Pabst for The New York Times

Working tools at the El Alamo estancia in Velazquez, Uruguay, on Tuesday, June 13, 2023. Photographer: Sarah Pabst for The New York Times 

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Spores are tied to a boot for a work day in the early morning on the El Alamo estancia in Velazquez, Uruguay, on Tuesday, June 13, 2023. Photographer: Sarah Pabst for The New York Times

Spores are tied to a boot for a work day in the early morning on the El Alamo estancia in Velazquez, Uruguay, on Tuesday, June 13, 2023. Photographer: Sarah Pabst for The New York Times 

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The gauchos Junior Almeida (left) and Ignacio Cabrera prepare the horses for a work day in the early morning on the El Alamo estancia in Velazquez, Uruguay, on Tuesday, June 13, 2023. Photographer: Sarah Pabst for The New York Times

The gauchos Junior Almeida (left) and Ignacio Cabrera prepare the horses for a work day in the early morning on the El Alamo estancia in Velazquez, Uruguay, on Tuesday, June 13, 2023. Photographer: Sarah Pabst for The New York Times 

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Estancia owner Raymond de Smedt sits on his horse for a portrait in front of El Alamo estancia in Velazquez, Uruguay, on Tuesday, June 13, 2023. Photographer: Sarah Pabst for The New York Times

Estancia owner Raymond de Smedt sits on his horse for a portrait in front of El Alamo estancia in Velazquez, Uruguay, on Tuesday, June 13, 2023. Photographer: Sarah Pabst for The New York Times 

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The gauchos move a herd of Wagyu-Angus bull-calves through the corrals at El Alamo estancia for vaccines, weight, and to read their chip in Velazquez, Uruguay, on Tuesday, June 13, 2023. Photographer: Sarah Pabst for The New York Times

The gauchos move a herd of Wagyu-Angus bull-calves through the corrals at El Alamo estancia for vaccines, weight, and to read their chip in Velazquez, Uruguay, on Tuesday, June 13, 2023. Photographer: Sarah Pabst for The New York Times

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Gauchos tame a young horse on the El Alamo estancia in Velazquez, Uruguay, on Monday, June 12, 2023. Photographer: Sarah Pabst for The New York Times

Gauchos tame a young horse on the El Alamo estancia in Velazquez, Uruguay, on Monday, June 12, 2023. Photographer: Sarah Pabst for The New York Times 

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The gauchos chat and eat during their midday break at the El Alamo estancia in Velazquez, Uruguay, on Tuesday, June 13, 2023. Photographer: Sarah Pabst for The New York Times

The gauchos chat and eat during their midday break at the El Alamo estancia in Velazquez, Uruguay, on Tuesday, June 13, 2023. Photographer: Sarah Pabst for The New York Times 

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The gauchos (from left to right) Alvaro Delgado, Manuel Besa, Ignacio Cabrera, Junior Almeida, and Juan Martin Zerboni stand for a portrait on their horses shortly before work starts on a chilly early morning on the El Alamo estancia in Velazquez, Uruguay

The gauchos (from left to right) Alvaro Delgado, Manuel Besa, Ignacio Cabrera, Junior Almeida, and Juan Martin Zerboni stand for a portrait on their horses shortly before work starts on a chilly early morning on the El Alamo estancia in Velazquez, Uruguay, on Tuesday, June 13, 2023. Photographer: Sarah Pabst for The New York Times

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A herd of Wagyu-Angus bull-calves is being moved to the El Alamo estancia in Velazquez, Uruguay, on Tuesday, June 13, 2023. Photographer: Sarah Pabst for The New York Times

A herd of Wagyu-Angus bull-calves is being moved to the El Alamo estancia in Velazquez, Uruguay, on Tuesday, June 13, 2023. Photographer: Sarah Pabst for The New York Times 

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