China faces a diplomatic test in Latin America after the victory in Argentina's election of outspoken libertarian Javier Milei, who in the past threatened to cut ties with China and described its leadership as an "assassin."
Trade between the two countries had grown to $26 billion with China becoming Argentina's second-largest trading partner in 2022, but president-elect Milei had said he would seek to reduce reliance on China because of its restrictions of freedoms under the rule of the Chinese Communist Party.
Milei's election has also cast doubt on whether Argentina, a country of more than 45 million, would accept an invitation made earlier this year to join the BRICS grouping with Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa, in which China is a driving force with by far the biggest economy.
The BRICS is one of the international alliances through which China has been expanding its global diplomatic weight, with Latin America also an important region for Chinese trade and investment.
Argentina has the second-biggest economy in South America after Brazil and in June of this year signed an agreement promoting cooperation with Xi's signature 'Belt and Road Initiative', a massive global infrastructure investment plan, according to China's state planning agency.
Chinese President Xi Jinping this week made conciliatory remarks towards Argentina's president-elect.
"I attach great importance to the development of China-Argentina relations and am willing to work with President-elect Milei to continue China-Argentina friendship, support the development and revitalization of our respective countries through win-win cooperation, promote the stability and long-term development of China-Argentina relations, and better benefit the two peoples," Xi said on November 21.
There are signs that Milei has begun to soften his stance on China after winning the election.
"I thank President Xi Jinping for the congratulations and good wishes," Milei said on his personal X account. "I send him my most sincere wishes for the Chinese people's wellbeing."
Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning said it would be a disaster for Argentina's diplomacy if it were to cut ties with China.
"Serious error. China is an important trading partner of Argentina. The elected government of Argentina attaches great importance to relations with China, especially the economic and trade cooperation between the two countries," she said.
A group of experts said Argentina's concerns towards ties with Beijing are driven by broader economic trends and change in the international order.
"Ultimately, Argentina's positions toward Ukraine and China are motivated by concerns about economic growth and stability. These economic interests combine with concerns about the international order." said a co-authored analysis published by Washington-based Carnegie Endowment for International Peace.
The state-run English language China Daily said that Milei's remarks had been blown out of proportion and taken out of context.
"In past years, Milei has dubbed Pope Francis everything from an "imbecile" to the devil's man on Earth, only to speak on the phone with his countryman on Tuesday calling him 'His Holiness'" an op-ed in China Daily said.
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Newsweek is committed to challenging conventional wisdom and finding connections in the search for common ground.
About the writer
Aadil Brar is a reporter for Newsweek based in Taipei, Taiwan. He covers international security, U.S.-China relations, and East Asian ... Read more
