‘Serious mistake’ if Argentina cuts ties, says China

After newly-elected Argentina President Javier Milei criticised China and Brazil saying he won’t deal with “communists,” and instead favour stronger ties with the US, the Chinese foreign ministry on Tuesday said that it would be a “serious mistake” in Argentina’s diplomacy if the South American nation were to cut ties with major countries like China or Brazil. At a regular news conference, Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson Mao Ning said, “China is an important trading partner for Argentina, and its elected government attaches great importance to relations with China.” On Sunday, Argentina elected the right-wing libertarian Milei as its new president.

Russia’s RIA Novosti news agency also cited Diana Mondino, an economist tipped to become foreign minister under the Milei administration, as saying her country would not join the BRICS group.

Argentina was among six countries invited to become new members of the BRICS, a bloc consisting of Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa.

Mondino also told RIA Novosti that Argentina would “stop interacting” with the governments of China and Brazil, when asked whether Argentina would encourage exports and imports with those countries.

“The two sides have strong economic complementarity and huge potential for cooperation,” said Mao, when asked by reporters to comment on Mondino’s remarks.

“China is willing to continue to work together with Argentina to promote the stability and long-term development of bilateral relations,” Mao added. With inputs from agencies