Next Steps in U.S. – Argentina Business Relations

On Thursday, September 10, 2020, the Meridian Corporate Council hosted a Global Business Briefing with His Excellency Jorge Argüello, Ambassador of Argentina to the United States. Ambassador Argüello assumed the position in February 2020, having previously served in the role from 2011 to 2012.The convening began with introductory remarks from Ms. Karen Knutson, Chevron’s Vice President and General Manager of Government Affairs.

The discussion centered on Argentina's response to the COVID-19 pandemic, economic recovery, and emerging cooperation areas between the United States and Argentina. Ambassador Argüello began his remarks detailing the Argentine government response to the COVID-19 outbreak, which included mobilizing funds for public health prevention, equitably distributing PPE, expanding the production of ventilators, and developing a rapid diagnostic test.

Meridian and its Corporate Council had the opportunity to learn about the on-going debt restructuring negotiations. As discussions between Argentine leadership, the IMF, and private creditors continue, billions of dollars in debt relief are expected to aid Argentina's economic recovery and restore debt sustainability.

Concerning the future of US-Argentina relations, Ambassador Argüello detailed the continued public-private cooperation on space diplomacy matters, detailing the successful launch of an Argentine satellite, SAOCOM 1B, an Earth Observation (E.O.) satellite for Argentina's National Commission on Space Activities (CONAE). Ambassador Argüello noted the unique monitoring capabilities of the SAOCOM 1B to support Argentina’s critical agriculture sector.

Ambassador Argüello ended the discussion remarking that "things are going well in the bilateral relationship, and we will continue working with the U.S. government to deepen our bilateral bond. U.S. investments in Argentina will play an important part in the forthcoming economic recovery.”