On the second day of her visit to the United States, Foreign Minister Diana Mondino was received in Washington D.C. by the Secretary of State, Antony Blinken, with whom she analyzed the broad bilateral agenda that has gained renewed momentum since the inauguration of the government of President Javier Milei. Mondino was accompanied by the Chief of Staff of Ministers, Nicolás Posse, the Argentine Ambassador to the United States, Gerardo Werthein, and the Secretary for International Economic Relations, Marcelo Cima.
The Foreign Minister and the Chief of Staff also held a working meeting at the Department of the Treasury with Under Secretary Jay Shambaugh, in which Ambassador Werthein and the United States Ambassador to Argentina, Marc Stanley, participated. On the occasion, the Secretary of the Treasury, Yanet Yellen, participated in a segment of the meeting during which the results obtained by Argentina were mentioned.
During the morning, the Foreign Minister chaired a meeting with representatives of the private sector at the United States Chamber of Commerce, recognized as the largest business organization in the world.
At the State Department, Minister Mondino -after leaving a message in the Guest Book- signed, together with her US counterpart, the “Framework of Understanding between the Argentine Republic and the United States of America to Establish a High-Level Strategic Dialogue”. This document ratifies the robust state of the bilateral relationship by establishing an institutionalized willingness to continue deepening both countries’ strategic convergence.
In her working meeting with Antony Blinken, Mondino stated that Argentina has the firm intention to “expand the trade and investment agenda, and promote greater ties between both countries,” especially in key sectors such as food, hydrocarbons, mining, lithium and renewable energies, all of them considered strategic and vitally important sectors in the current situation, without leaving aside joint work spaces on issues such as the fight against drug trafficking, defense, cybersecurity, human rights and the fight against terrorism, among others.
During the meeting at the State Department, the Foreign Minister assured Blinken that “our country is willing to actively collaborate to strengthen the strategic relationship with the United States” and added that it is necessary to advance on concrete actions to increase and diversify trade and bilateral investments (the US is the main investor in Argentina), facilitate the opening to Argentine exports and promote the inclusion of our country in the Americas Partnership for Economic Prosperity (APEP).
Argentina’s top diplomat also highlighted the opportunity to position Argentina as a reliable supplier of strategic health supplies and critical minerals, with proven human capacity and the technology to export to the most demanding markets. The Minister reiterated Argentina's interest in achieving the status of NATO Global Partner, taking into account a global scenario in which it is necessary to promote a stable international order that safeguards peace and security.
Previously, the Foreign Minister had led a meeting with American companies within the framework of the United States – Argentina Business Council (USABC), in which Ambassador Werthein, Secretary Cima and the Ambassador of the United States in Argentina, Marc Stanley, also participated. The event was convened by the United States Chamber of Commerce, an institution that includes entities ranging from small local businesses to large corporations and leading industry associations.
In this context, Mondino stated: “The world is currently going through a scenario of multiple crises that have modified the global configuration of supply chains. Argentina embarks on a path of change with the implementation of an open market economy, the promotion of investments, the strengthening of the rule of law, the promotion of free competition among economic actors and full insertion into the global economy. As a clear signal of this direction, we began the process of accession to the OECD, which will contribute to greater legal certainty for investors.”
Before an audience of business representatives from sectors such as energy, mining, food, biotechnology and agricultural machinery, among others, Mondino highlighted Argentina's purpose to become a reliable partner, free of distortions and bureaucratic obstacles. She pointed out that Argentina offers an opportunity and that it has the natural resources - energy and agriculture, among others - needed in today's world. And she stated: “The export promotion policy is the cornerstone of the international insertion strategy carried out by Argentina’s Foreign Ministry; we need to ensure access to the United States market to provide quality and added value products.”
“For us to be successful on this path we need partners, countries with which we can support each other and I have no doubt that in this process the role of the United States is and will be fundamental. It is the first direct investor in Argentina – with a total stock of more than 26 billion dollars – and our third commercial partner, with a growth potential that we must take advantage of and implement,” she explained.
As to bilateral trade, although it is structurally deficient for our country, the Minister was clear in pointing out that it presents many opportunities for growth and diversification. As an example, she mentioned the needs regarding the energy transition: “An excellent opportunity for collaboration opens up in this sector, given Argentina's important reserves, the ongoing investments to achieve an increase in the production of these minerals and the development of the value chain.”
Finally, complementing yesterday's meeting with US Senators, the Foreign Minister met with Congresswoman María Elvira Salazar, Chairwoman of the Subcommittee on Western Hemisphere of the House of Representatives. Salazar is a prominent politician from the state of Florida, who expressed her support for the structural reforms promoted by the Argentine Government in favor of economic freedom, development and well-being of all citizens.
