Argentina’s ambassador to the United States has confirmed that talks over a “significant” bilateral trade deal between the nations are ongoing and that an announcement could be made very soon,
Speaking in a radio interview, Alejandro ‘Alec’ Oxenford said the two nations would sign a trade agreement but that he was not allowed to discuss details.
“We could have news very soon. I’ve signed a confidentiality agreement, but I can say it’s extremely important,” said Oxenford.
“I can’t comment further. There will be developments shortly,” promised the diplomat, who also described the deal as the culmination of “a very significant collective effort in Buenos Aires and Washington, marking a before and after in cooperation between the two countries.”
President Javier Milei’s ambassador in Washington was among those present at the White House meeting between Argentina’s leader and US President Donald Trump on Tuesday, an event Oxenford described as “historic.”
“It was a historic and symbolic event. The meeting between Trump and Milei is an unprecedented milestone in bilateral relations – not even during [former president] Carlos Menem’s era did we see anything like it,” he said. “It is the culmination of months of intense diplomatic effort.”
Oxenford highlighted the rapport between Milei and Trump, revealing the two leaders had shared a private conversation. “There’s trust, respect, affection. You see two friends talking and smiling – that’s not the norm. It’s very unusual,” emphasised the ambassador, a successful tech entrepreneur and businessman.
“We’ll come to understand the significance of this meeting – it’s highly relevant on every level – in the coming months, when the outcomes begin to emerge. These will range from agreements across many areas,” he added.
Oxenford went on to criticise the accredited press corps at the White House, accusing them of taking Trump’s remarks out of context after media reports suggested that US financial support for Argentina is dependent on Milei’s performance in the October 26 midterm elections.
“The support was total, explicit, and solid,” said the envoy, adding: “It was very much aligned with a shared vision. I was there from start to finish, and it’s clear to me the statement was completely taken out of context.”
“Journalists tend to exaggerate and take quotes out of context,” he said.
“At no point did I feel there was any intention to undermine our sovereignty … No-one wants an Argentina that isn’t sovereign. These decisions strengthen Argentina and will enable us to defend our sovereignty more effectively. I see no contradiction,” concluded Oxenford.
Several of President Milei’s top officials have previously hinted that a trade deal is imminent.
Deregulation & State Transformation Minister said recently that “we are going to have a rather unprecedented trade agreement within the United States, and that agreement will allow certain sectors of our economy to have privileged access to the North American market.
The United States is Argentina's third-largest trading partner at present, behind Brazil and China.
According to a recent report by the consulting firm Analytica, trade flows between the two countries reversed last year in favour of Argentina due to a drop in imports, closing with a surplus of US$228 million.
Currently, domestic products face a base tariff rate of 10 percent since last April, although specific levies remain, with 50-percent tariffs applied to aluminium and steel.
National Security Minister Patricia Bullrich said Thursday that Argentina will sign an agreement with the FBI to cooperate on counter-terrorism operations.
The agreement will include access to the National Counter-terrorism Centre (CNA), which will function as a "hotline" to prevent possible attacks.
– TIMES/NA/PERFIL
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