US President Donald Trump indicated a willingness to explore a Free Trade Agreement with Argentina. This comes after US Envoy Mauricio Claver-Carone expressed disinterest in such an arrangement. Argentine President Javier Milei is advocating for increased trade flexibility, suggesting a reevaluation of Argentina’s role in Mercosur to facilitate a pact with the US. Milei emphasizes the missed opportunities of not trading with the US earlier.

In a recent press conference at the White House, US President Donald Trump expressed willingness to explore a Free Trade Agreement (FTA) with Argentina, despite previous comments from US Special Envoy for Latin America, Mauricio Claver-Carone, indicating a lack of interest in such a treaty. Trump praised Argentine President Javier Milei as a “great leader” and acknowledged the potential benefits of a commerce arrangement. Milei has proposed that Argentina might need to reevaluate its participation in Mercosur to pursue this trade deal.

Milei’s administration aims to enhance exports, attract US investments, and facilitate technology transfers. However, Mercosur regulations obligate member countries to negotiate trade agreements collectively. Given this context, Milei has stated his preference for aligning more closely with the United States than with neighboring countries. He asserted that Mercosur is beneficial primarily for Brazil’s industries and less favorable for Argentina.

In his address to the Legislative Assembly, Milei articulated his commitment to advocating for a US FTA, noting, “Our first objective will be to push during the next year for a free trade agreement with the US, the agreement that should have happened 19 years ago.” He emphasized the lost potential over the past two decades if Argentina had engaged in trade with the world’s leading economy sooner.

Milei further stated, “Imagine what we would have grown in those two decades if we had traded with the first world power.” He declared Argentina’s desire to be the first nation to enter a reciprocal agreement as sought by the Trump administration, assuring that, under fewer restrictions, Austria would actively pursue an FTA with the United States. Last year, bilateral trade showed a modest surplus for Argentina, with exports totaling $6.454 billion and imports at $6.226 billion, resulting in only a $228 million surplus.

In summary, President Trump’s recent remarks suggest a potential openness to an FTA with Argentina, coinciding with President Milei’s advocacy for reevaluating trade dynamics within Mercosur. Milei’s focus on fostering closer ties with the US underscores a strategic pivot in Argentina’s international trade policy. As both leaders express mutual appreciation, the future of trade relations between the United States and Argentina could foster significant economic development for Argentina.

Original Source: en.mercopress.com

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