Argentina seeks to rebuild diplomatic and commercial relations with China

The Secretary General of the Argentine Presidency, Karina Milei, met with the Chinese ambassador to Argentina, Wang Wei, in an effort to improve bilateral relations between the two countries. The meeting took place at the Chinese diplomatic headquarters in Buenos Aires and was attended by Diego Sucalesca, director of the Argentine Agency for Investment and International Trade (AAICI).

According to a statement issued by the Chinese Embassy, ​​during the meeting, opinions were exchanged on bilateral relations and economic and trade cooperation between the two nations. This rapprochement takes place in a context of diplomatic tensions that have been evident since President Javier Milei came to power.

China is an important trading partner for Argentina, being the third destination for Argentine exports in 2023, with a value of approximately 5.2 billion dollars, equivalent to 8% of the total foreign sales of the South American country.

Karina Milei’s visit is part of a series of recent diplomatic efforts, including a previous meeting with the French ambassador, Romain Nadal. These meetings seek to rebuild bridges after some statements and actions that generated controversy in the international arena.

Ambassador Wang Wei held a meeting with Ms. Karina Milei, Secretary General of the Presidency of Argentina, and Mr. Diego Sucalesca, head of AAICI. Both sides exchanged views on bilateral relations and bilateral economic and trade cooperation. pic.twitter.com/tDGxc4WwHj

— Chinese Embassy in Argentina (@ChinaEmbArg) July 30, 2024

It is worth remembering that during his election campaign, President Javier Milei expressed critical positions towards the Chinese government and stated his intention not to do business with countries he considered communist. However, the economic reality and the importance of China as a trading partner seem to have led to a reconsideration of this position.

In recent months, there have been various diplomatic gestures, including a trip by Foreign Minister Diana Mondino to China in April, accompanied by a delegation of businessmen, with the aim of improving bilateral relations and exploring opportunities for economic cooperation.

Although an official visit by President Milei to China has not yet been finalized, Karina Milei’s meeting with Ambassador Wang Wei suggests an interest in normalizing and strengthening ties between the two countries, recognizing the importance of maintaining stable relations with one of the main economic players on a global level.