China is responding unambiguously to Argentine President-elect Javier Milei’s announced plans to break ties—minimally trade ties—with Beijing. At the Chinese Foreign Ministry’s Nov. 21 press briefing spokeswoman Mao Ning replied to a question about statements made by Milei’s likely Foreign Minister Diana Mondino about Argentina’s not joining the BRICS. Mondino had reportedly said there was some misreading about Milei’s foreign policy, but Mao asserted that “no country could step out of diplomatic relations and still be able to engage in economic trade and cooperation. It would be a huge foreign policy mistake for Argentina to cut ties with major countries like China or Brazil. China is Argentina’s important trading partner.”
The newly elected Argentine government values its relations with China, Mao continued, “especially the business ties between the two countries.” China is Argentina’s second largest trading partner and the largest export market for Argentine agricultural products. She emphasized economic complementarity between them means there is “great potential for cooperation. China stands ready to work with Argentina to keep our relations on a steady forward course.”
