LA PAZ, Bolivia — Last year, during his presidential campaign, Javier Milei asserted that Argentina would not engage in negotiations with “communists” in countries like China and Brazil, labeling their leaders as “murderers” and “thieves.” Milei aimed to channel the populist vigor of Donald Trump and other right-wing figures into a compelling political narrative. However, on Tuesday, President Milei found himself at the Group of 20 summit in Rio de Janeiro, shaking hands with Chinese President Xi Jinping and pledging to enhance trade with China, just a day after his economy minister inked a preliminary deal for Argentina to export natural gas to Brazil.
Despite his earlier rhetoric, Milei conceded to a joint declaration approved by world leaders at the G20 summit, surprising many given his efforts to disrupt the proceedings and his negative past comments regarding Brazil’s leftist leader, Luiz Inácio “Lula” da Silva. In the lead-up to the summit, Milei had expressed skepticism toward various international efforts, pulling Argentine delegates from the U.N. climate summit, voting “no” on two U.N. resolutions—one supporting Indigenous rights and another addressing violence against women—and creating turbulence during G20 discussions.
Argentina’s resistance during the G20 negotiations primarily revolved around clauses addressing taxation of the wealthy and online speech regulations, with diplomats noting Milei’s team sought to block mentions of gender equality and the U.N.’s 2030 sustainable development agenda, which he has criticized as being socialist in nature.
While critics labeled him a saboteur, a segment of his supporters applauded him as a figure of the “new world disorder.” Fresh from an encounter with Trump at the Mar-a-Lago resort and surrounded by high-profile figures such as Elon Musk, Milei seemed initially unfazed in Rio. Nonetheless, under substantial international pressure, he eventually signed the G20 declaration, despite his office issuing a critical statement regarding it.
“Argentina is not a great power and it faces a significant economic crisis,” remarked Roberto Goulart Menezes, an international relations professor at the University of Brasilia, adding that the pressure exerted on Argentina prompted a shift in its stance.
During his inaugural meeting with President Xi, the two leaders discussed their existing trade and financial relationships, expressing a shared intent to uncover new avenues for cooperation. The Argentine presidency shared a statement and a photo showing the leaders engaged in a warm handshake, indicating a thawing of relations.
Given Argentina’s heavy reliance on China for its soybean and crop markets, the amicable interaction illustrated that the nation is keen on maintaining strong ties with its second-largest trading partner amidst an economic crisis.
President Xi acknowledged Milei’s openness to deepening bilateral cooperation while commending the friendly relations between the countries. China holds strategic investments in Argentina, including interests in lithium mines and a space station in Patagonia. Earlier this year, former Foreign Minister Diana Mondino successfully traveled to China to mend ties following Milei’s earlier disparaging remarks about the country.
After this trip, Beijing resumed a critical currency swap agreement worth billions, aiding Argentina’s dwindling reserves.
The day before the summit, as negotiations became increasingly charged, Argentine Economy Minister Luis Caputo and Brazilian Energy Minister Alexandre Silveira reached a memorandum of understanding that promises a new source of revenue for Argentina. The agreement involves shipping 30 million cubic meters of natural gas from Argentina’s Vaca Muerta shale field to Brazil over the next five years, which reportedly contributed to Milei’s eventual acceptance of the joint G20 declaration.
However, the agreement did not mitigate the tension between the two South American economies, which diverge significantly in their views on climate change, social issues, and governmental roles. A local newspaper captured an awkward scene with images of both leaders standing apart, seemingly uncomfortable, contrasted with genuine camaraderie displayed by Lula with other leaders.
Milei’s vocal opposition to leftist leaders in countries like Spain and Colombia has also estranged major trading partners. Some analysts express concern that Trump’s ascent could embolden Milei and other right-wing politicians to forgo UN commitments and global accords on issues like climate change.
“Milei has aligned himself with Trump, believing that the G20 may be diminished by his influence,” Menezes noted. He cautioned, however, that depending on the future U.S. presidency significantly influences Argentina’s foreign policy could lead to a precarious position of isolation on the international stage.
A notable incident at the G20 occurred when Milei was the only leader absent from the traditional group photo, which was re-taken a second time due to a scheduling conflict affecting U.S. President Joe Biden and Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau. No additional attempts to include him were made.