PUERTO IGUAZU, Argentina, July 7 (UPI) -- Argentina's president Wednesday not only defended his nation's recent ban on some Brazilian products from import, but threatened to expand it.
Nestor Kirchner, speaking during a meeting of regional nations belonging to the Mecosur trade bloc, said Argentina's decision to halt certain Brazilian electronic goods from entering the country was an effort to avoid "certain asymmetries" in their bilateral relations.
Kirchner also said Brazilian textiles may be barred from entering his nation.
Earlier this week, Argentine Economic Minister Roberto Lavagna said Argentina would no longer import Brazilian-made refrigerators, washing machine and stoves in an effort to help raise production levels and create jobs.
Argentina is still suffering the ill effects of a January 2002 economic collapse that cost millions of jobs and prompted the government to forfeit on billions of dollars in foreign debt.
