appConfigEntityId

bodyType

customContents

entityId

entityUuid

isVideo

articlePageQuery

article

articleSchemaContent

content

hooksArticlePageAdvertisementConfigArticle

hooksArticlePageFloatingButtonConfigArticle

appConfig

filter

json

liveArticle

Igor Patrick

Former president Mauricio Macri warned on Friday that Argentina could weaken its export base if it distances itself from China, sharpening his public split with President Javier Milei.
Macri argued that China remains central to Argentina’s sales of soy, beef and other raw materials, goods the US already produces in abundance.
“China is more complementary than the United States for Argentina. I do not think it is good to interrupt that process,” he said.
A long-time Milei ally, Macri was instrumental in the ultra-libertarian president’s 2023 election victory.
Known as a moderating voice within the country’s right-wing faction, he is credited by diplomats and media for tempering the president’s harsh rhetoric against China after a presidential campaign where Milei called the Chinese “murderers” and promised to sever commercial ties between the two countries.
But Milei has been distancing himself from his supporter and mentor, assuming a more independent stance, especially after unexpectedly winning Argentina’s legislative elections in October, when his party captured nearly 41 per cent of the vote and 64 of 157 seats up for election.


During his interview on Friday, Macri recalled he also faced pressure from Washington during his presidency to ditch ties with Beijing, noting that Barack Obama pushed the issue politely while Donald Trump was more forceful.
Even so, he said he kept both relationships running in parallel.
“[During my presidency] I was able to tell [Trump], ‘No, we’re better friends, but I’m keeping my relationship with China,’” Macri said.
Like Milei, Macri assumed the presidency of Argentina in 2015 with a critical, sceptical stance towards China, but this changed rapidly.
During his first months, he froze construction of two hydroelectric dams in Patagonia built by the Chinese and started a review of contracts signed by the former administration with Beijing.
He also called for an investigation of Chinese activities at the deep space station in Neuquen, operated by officials of China’s People’s Liberation Army.
But by 2018, as Argentina’s finances deteriorated, Macri expanded the currency swap with China’s central bank to reinforce reserves and deepened relations with Beijing.
Later that year, he also hosted President Xi Jinping for the G20 Summit in Buenos Aires, and together they presided over the signing of dozens of cooperation agreements. At the time, he remarked that Argentina performs better “the more China develops”.
Ex-president Macri’s remarks followed Milei’s promotion of a new commercial deal with the US last week.
The Argentine administration told the media that the deal would cover tariffs, agricultural access, labour rules, environmental standards, state-run companies and digital trade – something Milei called “a tremendous piece of news”.
He also rejected claims that Washington would dominate the agreement, arguing that the United States “has many more things to put on the table” because of its economic scale.
The agreement has also been discussed amid rising friction in Washington over Argentina’s finances and export markets, with Trump officials disputing China’s influence in the South American country.
That tension surfaced publicly in late September when a photograph showed US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessant reading a text message complaining that Argentina had suspended export taxes shortly after receiving a US bailout.

The tax holiday allowed Chinese buyers to snap up cheaper soybeans, prompting a rush of orders that rattled futures markets in Chicago and angered farm groups in the Midwest.
Concerns in Washington extend beyond agricultural sales. In April, Trump adviser Mauricio Claver Carone told an audience in Miami that any new IMF programme for Argentina should avoid strengthening China’s position, singling out the currency swap agreement between Beijing and Buenos Aires that he called “extortionate”, and urging the Milei government to unwind it.
Argentina renewed that swap in June last year for about US$5 billion, and economists in Buenos Aires said it remains one of the central bank’s few immediate sources of foreign currency.


US families ramp up efforts for loved ones’ release from China ahead of Xi’s visit

US trade chief pressed Brazil to review Anglo American nickel sale to China

US approves sale of 48 F-35 jets to Saudi Arabia despite Israeli concerns

Hong Kong hits out at US panel over Jimmy Lai hearing and sanctions bill

US-China relations

Ex-Argentine leader warns Milei that cutting China ties could backfire as US push grows

Argentina’s former president Mauricio Macri has warned the current Argentinian leadership not to cut ties with China just to curry favour with the US.  Photo: AFP

Argentina’s President Javier Milei is an avowed fan of US President Donald Trump and wants closer trade ties with the US, but at China’s expense. Photo: Reuters

Argentina tightens sorghum rules to boost China trade, risking new clash with Trump team

Government data showed China has become Argentina’s dominant sorghum buyer, taking nearly all shipments this year. Photo: Shutterstock

Argentine President Javier Milei (left) shakes hands with US President Donald Trump as they meet during the 80th United Nations General Assembly last month in New York City. Photo: Reuters

Trump administration ties Argentina support to rollback of China credit line

Argentine President Javier Milei leaves the podium after speaking at the general debate of the UN General Assembly in New York on Thursday. Photo: Zuma

US President Donald Trump during a meeting with Milei (not pictured) at the UN General Assembly on Tuesday. Photo: Reuters

As Trump targets China in US$20 billion Argentina bailout offer, analysts fear ‘debt trap’

US President Donald Trump shakes hands with Argentina’s President Javier Milei as they meet during the 80th United Nations General Assembly, in New York City on September 23. Photo: Reuters

Argentine President Javier Milei and US President Donald Trump shaking hands at February’s annual Conservative Political Action Conference in National Harbor, Maryland, USA. Photo: AFP

Colombia pushes for talks – to include China – over US military build-up near Venezuela

Colombian President Gustavo Petro has called for a high-level security meeting with the United States, China and regional partners to discuss the growing tension in the region. Photo: AFP 

China won’t back Brazil rainforest fund, points to rich nations’ lack of support: reports

An angler fishes across from the Wujing Power Station in Shanghai. China won’t back Brazil’s key rainforest initiative for the time being. Photo: AFP

China’s Deputy Prime Minister Ding Xuexiang and Brazil’s President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva meet in Belem, Brazil. Photo: AFP

News

World

Americas

China

Diplomacy

Economy, Trade & Business

Macri argues Argentina’s farm and commodity sales rely on China even as current president Javier Milei pursues broader deal with Washington


Macri argues Argentina’s farm and commodity sales rely on China even as current president Javier Milei pursues broader deal with Washington.


Ex-Argentine leader warns Milei that cutting China ties could backfire as US push grows

.css-1c6uqr6{color:inherit;font-weight:inherit;font-size:inherit;font-family:inherit;line-height:inherit;overflow-wrap:break-word;}Macri argues Argentina’s farm and commodity sales rely on China even as current president Javier Milei pursues broader deal with Washington

Macri argues Argentina’s farm and commodity sales rely on China even as current president Javier Milei pursues broader deal with Washington