International
Investment and technology, keys to the economic relationship between Argentina and Germany
The relationship between Argentina and Germany – a country to which President Javier Milei will make a working visit this weekend – is based on foreign investment, cooperation in natural resources and trade exchange, supported by bilateral agreements and joint projects to promote economic and technological development in both countries.
Milei is scheduled to travel tomorrow, Saturday, to Germany, where he will be awarded in Hamburg (north) the Hayek medal that the homonymous society awarded him due to his achievements as a “reformer”.
The next day, the Argentine president and the German Chancellor, Olaf Scholz, will hold a meeting in Berlin at the head of their respective delegations.
Germany has shown interest in cooperating with Argentina in the exploration and production of critical minerals such as lithium and copper, essential for the energy transition and the manufacture of batteries. This aligns with Germany’s efforts to diversify its sources of supply and reduce dependence on China.
In 2023, the stock of total Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) in Argentina ammounted to 128,855 million dollars (about 120,382.7 million euros), which represents 10.4% more than the previous year and 26.4% of the Gross Domestic Product (GDP), according to data from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
The upward trend of FDI continues in 2024, with various sectors such as lithium extraction, hydrocarbons and financial technology attracting a considerable amount of foreign investment.
Germany – an important investor in the automotive, technology and manufacturing industry – is in eighth place in FDI in Argentina, after the United States, Spain, Brazil, the Netherlands, Chile, China and Italy.
In 2023, German companies in Argentina made a significant investment in various sectors.
A survey by the Argentine-German Chamber of Industry and Commerce (AHK) and the consultancy EY Argentina revealed that 74% of German companies planned to invest more than one hundred million dollars (about 93.42 million euros) in the South American country. These investments were mainly used for fixed assets and the incorporation of technology.
Germany’s FDI stock in Argentina is mainly focused on the manufacturing (35%), mineral and oil extraction (22.3%), and retail and wholesale sectors (10.9%).
German companies such as Siemens, Volkswagen and Bayer have a strong presence in Argentina, promoting innovation and technology transfer in various industries.
Projects and cooperation in critical minerals are another key point of the economic relationship between the two countries, since Argentina is one of the main producers of lithium, essential for the manufacture of batteries, and that in 2022 exports of this element increased by 234%.
In February 2024, representatives of Germany and Argentina discussed cooperation in the supply chain of critical minerals, such as copper and lithium, with the aim of reducing dependence on China.
Regarding Argentine investment in Germany, which is less significant, companies from the South American country are beginning to explore opportunities in high-tech and renewable energy sectors.
In terms of cooperation and strategic alliances, both countries have signed bilateral agreements to encourage investment and facilitate trade. Argentina and Germany collaborate in infrastructure and technological development projects, taking advantage of the German experience in these fields.
Trade between Argentina and Germany includes Argentine exports of agricultural and mineral products, and imports of German machinery and industrial products. This exchange is fundamental for the Argentine economy and benefits both countries by diversifying their markets.
In 2022, total trade between Germany and Argentina exceeded $3.6 billion, with a growth of 8% compared to 2021.
In March 2024, Germany exported products worth 169 million euros (181 million dollars) to Argentina and imported goods for 104 million euros, resulting in a positive trade balance of 65.3 million euros (70 million dollars) for Germany.
Exports from Germany to Argentina include machinery, vehicles, chemicals and pharmaceuticals. The European nation is a key supplier of advanced technologies and industrial equipment necessary for various sectors of the Argentine economy.
Meanwhile, imports from Germany from Argentina focus on agricultural products and food, such as soybeans, wine and meat, as well as minerals.
The commercial relationship benefits from the complementarity between the economies, where Argentina provides raw materials and food, and Germany provides technology and manufactured products.
Both countries are working on closing a free trade agreement between the European Union (EU) and Mercosur, which could further enhance trade exchange and open up new business opportunities.
This agreement has been the subject of long negotiations and currently faces significant opposition from several EU member countries, especially France and Austria.
In contrast, countries such as Germany, Spain and Portugal are in favor of moving forward with the agreement, highlighting the economic benefits and the need to strengthen trade relations with Latin America.
International
King Charles III Says U.S.-UK Alliance Is “Irreplaceable and Unbreakable”
King Charles III of the United Kingdom reaffirmed the strength of the British-American relationship on Tuesday during a speech before the United States Congress, describing the alliance between the two nations as “irreplaceable and unbreakable.”
The address, delivered at the Capitol, marked the first speech by a British monarch before Congress since Queen Elizabeth II in 1991 and comes at a time of political tensions between Donald Trump’s administration and the Labour government of Prime Minister Keir Starmer.
“As President Trump himself observed during his state visit to Britain last autumn, the bond of kinship and identity between the United States and the United Kingdom is invaluable and eternal. It is irreplaceable and unbreakable,” the king said.
While reflecting on the upcoming 250th anniversary of U.S. independence, which will be commemorated this year, Charles III stated that the partnership between the two countries “was born out of disagreement, but is no less strong because of it.”
The monarch emphasized the democratic values shared by both nations and noted that major global changes have occurred whenever the two allies found common ground.
“When we have found that way to agree, great changes have taken place not only for the benefit of our peoples, but for all peoples,” he said.
King Charles also quoted British Prime Minister Keir Starmer, who recently described the relationship as “an indispensable alliance.”
Concluding his speech, the monarch described the shared history of the United States and the United Kingdom as “a story of reconciliation, renewal, and an extraordinary partnership.”
He added that Washington and London have forged “one of the most consequential alliances in human history.”
“I pray with all my heart that our alliance continues to defend our shared values, together with our partners in Europe, the Commonwealth, and around the world, and that we ignore calls urging us to become increasingly isolationist,” Charles III stated.
The king ended by urging both nations to “recommit to one another in selfless service to our peoples and to all peoples of the world.”
International
Trump Administration Considers Denying Green Cards Over Political Views
The administration of President Donald Trump is evaluating new immigration guidelines that could deny permanent residency to immigrants based on their political views, according to a report published by The New York Times.
The proposed measures, outlined in internal Department of Homeland Security documents, would instruct immigration officials to take applicants’ public expressions and ideological positions into account when reviewing green card applications.
According to the report, cases involving “possible anti-American and/or antisemitic conduct or ideologies” would need to be referred to higher authorities for additional review.
Even if applicants have not violated any laws, authorities could still reject residency requests if they determine that individuals have “endorsed, promoted, or supported anti-American views.”
Among the factors listed in the guidelines are participation in pro-Palestinian activities, actions considered antisemitic, and the burning of the U.S. flag.
The documents reportedly describe such actions as “heavily negative” factors in immigration evaluations, potentially blocking applicants from obtaining permanent residency and, eventually, U.S. citizenship.
The directives also place particular attention on demonstrations held on university campuses following the 2023 Hamas attacks against Israel.
However, flag burning has previously been recognized by the U.S. Supreme Court as a form of protected free speech under the Constitution.
The proposal has sparked criticism from immigrant advocacy organizations, including the New York Immigration Coalition.
Its president, Murad Awawdeh, warned that the policies could pose a threat to fundamental rights and freedoms.
International
Mexico Arrests CJNG Leader “El Jardinero” in Nayarit
Mexican authorities arrested Audias Flores, known as “El Jardinero,” on Monday during a naval operation in the western state of Nayarit, delivering another major blow to the Cártel Jalisco Nueva Generación (CJNG).
Flores was considered one of the top regional leaders within the cartel and had reportedly overseen criminal operations along Mexico’s Pacific coast. Security analysts viewed him as a potential successor to slain drug kingpin Nemesio Oseguera.
The arrest was carried out by Mexico’s Navy Special Forces in a planned operation, according to Security Minister Omar García Harfuch.
The United States Department of the Treasury had previously identified Flores as a “significant foreign narcotics trafficker,” while U.S. authorities offered a reward of up to $5 million for information leading to his capture and extradition.
A U.S. grand jury indicted Flores in 2021 on charges including conspiracy to distribute cocaine and heroin.
His capture comes months after the reported death of “El Mencho,” an operation that Mexican authorities considered a priority due to the cartel leader’s alleged involvement in a 2020 assassination attempt against García Harfuch.
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