The graduate noted that his study of the topic took him four years, including the development of the project, field research, and the writing process. When asked about the main contributions of his research, Dr. Porzecanski highlighted several key points. First, he noted, the book presents the debate over the FTA “not as a debate between enlightened visionaries and reactionaries (between episteme and doxa), but as a debate in which valid arguments existed on both sides. In short, a political debate where some won and others lost.” Second, “the book shows that the ‘train’ of the FTA had already passed once, in 2003, and that the process resumed by Dr. Vázquez had been initiated by Dr. Batlle.”
The researcher stated that "the book introduces previously unknown historical elements, such as the opposition to signing an FTA by a significant portion of the Uruguayan private sector, and the key role played by Uruguay’s ambassador to the United States, Dr. Carlos Gianelli, in halting the process of initiating FTA negotiations."
Porzecanski holds a Master’s degree in Law and Diplomacy and a PhD in International Relations from The Fletcher School of Law and Diplomacy at Tufts University. He also served as producer of the program “En Perspectiva” on Radio El Espectador and as the station’s correspondent in the United States.
“Why Didn’t Uruguay Sign a Free Trade Agreement with the United States?” Article by Dr. Roberto Porzecanski analyzing the reasons why Uruguay did not sign a Free Trade Agreement with the United States (Published in the digital magazine Letras Internacionales)