File photo: Argentina’s President-elect Javier Millei reacts before the opening of the Legislative Assembly at the National Convention in Buenos Aires, Argentina, November 29, 2023.Reuters/Agustin Markarian/File photo Obtaining license rights
BUENOS AIRES, Dec 9 (Reuters) – A U.S. delegation met with Argentine President-elect Javier Mirei in a meeting in Buenos Aires on Saturday over talks with the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and the development of the lithium sector, a senior White House official said. expressed support for. he told Reuters.
Juan Gonzalez, an adviser to President Joe Biden and senior director for the Western Hemisphere on the National Security Council, said the meeting, which came a day before Milay’s inauguration, was “very positive” and focused on the country’s struggling economy. He said that he had guessed.
Argentina has more than two-fifths of its population living in poverty, while suffering from inflation of nearly 150%. The $44 billion IMF program has gone off track, the central bank’s net reserves are in deep deficit, and a recession is looming.
Once in office, Millay plans to roll out a series of measures to rein in state spending, a “shock” therapy plan that supporters hope will stabilize the economy but will be painful for Argentines, at least in the short term. Probability is high. .
“I think the economic challenges facing Argentina are the top priority,” González said in an interview in Buenos Aires hours after his meeting with Millay, adding that the country has the time and space to get its situation in order. added that it is necessary.
“Argentina needs to resolve these challenges,” he said, adding that grain-producing countries also need to reach an agreement with IMF officials on economic planning.
“We have only tried to encourage dialogue…and a constructive outcome between Argentina and the IMF.”
The current IMF program, which replaced the failed 2018 deal, has become increasingly unstable as Argentina’s economic crisis worsens, a trend that Mr. Milay, a liberal economist and former TV commentator and right-wing outsider, said encouraged the rise of
Gonzalez said his delegation discussed lithium with Milay, including the country’s hopes of benefiting from the U.S. Inflation Control Act (IRA), but it is not a free trade agreement partner. Currently not receiving any benefits.
He also said the United States stands ready to support Argentina, the world’s No. 1 country. 4 Lithium producers expand beyond production of key battery metals.
“It’s true that Argentina is a source of lithium, but there’s no reason Argentina has to move up the lithium refining and value chain. We want to help,” he said.
Asked about a possible agreement to facilitate Argentina’s purchase of used U.S.-made F-16 fighter jets, he said the two countries were “in talks” but gave no further details.
Milley, who has pledged a pro-American foreign policy and is critical of China, is scheduled to be sworn in on Sunday with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy, Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán and other senior officials. Jair Bolsonaro, the right-wing former Brazilian leader who met with Milay on Friday, is also expected to attend.
Mr. Gonzalez has not confirmed any talks with Mr. Zelensky, who wants to drum up support for Ukraine’s 21-month-old war against Russia, but he has held informal talks with Energy Secretary Jennifer Granholm, the head of the U.S. delegation. He said that there is a high possibility that this will be done.
“I think he’ll have a chance to speak on the floor at the inauguration. I’m sure she’ll seek him out,” he said.
Report by Adam Jourdan.Editing: Daniel Wallis
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