Argentine Foreign Minister Gerardo Werthein will meet with U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio on Tuesday. The purpose of the trip is to lay the initial groundwork for a trade deal between the two countries, despite the U.S. president's Donald Trump, be on track to impose comprehensive tariffs.
Furthermore, Werthein's visit to Washington comes a day before Trump is set to announce reciprocal tariffs on April 2, dubbed "Liberation Day" by the US president. The measure will target all countries and could, as a result, disrupt global trade.
Faced with this scenario, governments around the world are looking for ways to avoid tariffs and reach agreements with the US leader.
Strategic alignment between Argentina and the USA
Argentina is a producer of grains, lithium and energy. However, last year, bilateral trade with the United States was worth US$13-16 billion. The country is currently seeking to capitalize on ideological ties between Donald Trump and President Javier Milei.
Additionally, in a statement ahead of Werthein's trip, the Argentine government said he would meet with Rubio to “strengthen the strategic alliance” between the two countries.
Finally, discussions with U.S. Trade Representative Jamieson Greer will aim to “strengthen bilateral trade and begin to lay the groundwork for a strong trade agreement,” he said.
Milei and the interest in a trade agreement
Milei, unlike Trump, is seeking to eliminate most trade barriers. This stance is part of his free-market economic strategy. He has been seeking a trade deal with Washington since taking office in 2023. This year, however, he has stepped up his efforts.
He was the first world leader to meet Trump after his election and one of the few who attended his inauguration. Trump called Miley, who wants to reduce the size of the state, his “favorite president.”
Milei has also met several times with billionaire Elon Musk, whose economic “chainsaw” has been an inspiration for cuts to U.S. federal agencies.
Source: Nicolas Misculin | Notícias Agrícolas
