Uruguay expects to promote the signing of a free trade agreement (FTA) between Mercosur, or the Southern Common Market, and China when Uruguay holds the rotating presidency of the organization, Uruguayan Foreign Minister Rodolfo Nin Novoa was quoted as saying on Saturday.

"We want to get closer to China, because it is the main business partner to all Mercosur countries," Nin Novoa told the country's parliament, according to local newspaper El Observador.

"This is the case of Uruguay, Paraguay, Argentina and also undoubtedly Brazil. We will promote a free trade agreement between the Southern Common Market and China," he told the parliament.

Uruguay's exports are mainly soybeans, beef, cellulose and dairy products.

The minister is worried because competitors such as Australia and New Zealand already have an FTA with China and their products will enter the Chinese market this year with zero tariffs.