Foreign Minister Jorge Faurie met today at the Palacio San Martín with the United States Deputy Secretary of State, John Sullivan, who is in Argentina for the G20 Foreign Ministers' Meeting taking place today and tomorrow in Buenos Aires.
Sullivan reaffirmed the support of President Donald Trump's administration for the economic reforms pursued by President Mauricio Macri, as well as the support of the United States for Argentina's decision to initiate talks with the International Monetary Fund.
Faurie and Sullivan underscored bilateral cooperation in security, especially in the fight against drug trafficking, and the joint cooperation between the two countries against the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction. As regards economic affairs, Sullivan underscored the United States' support for Argentina's OECD membership bid.
Among the various issues of great importance on the broad and renewed bilateral agenda, Faurie noted Argentina's recent inclusion as a beneficiary of the U.S. Generalized System of Preferences, after two years of negotiation, which will enable many of the products of our regional economies to access the U.S. market at zero tariff. He further underscored the decision of President Trump's administration to exempt Argentine steel and aluminum from tariffs.
Faurie also highlighted that all progress and agreements reached with U.S. authorities are the result of Argentina's policy of smart insertion into the world, through an open foreign policy focused on our interests, which expands our global presence and markets for our products.
As regards regional affairs, Secretary Sullivan and Foreign Minister Faurie addressed the deepening political, economic, social and humanitarian crisis in Venezuela, which has violated democratic institutions, the rule of law and respect for human rights.
In addition, they made a statement on the illegitimate election process carried out by the Government of Venezuela, which lacked credibility and led to the elections scheduled for today, without the participation of all Venezuelan political actors, independent international oversight and the guarantees necessary for a free, fair, transparent and democratic election process.
