China warns Argentina against making 'serious mistakes'

By Rhod Mackenzie

If Argentina severs ties with Brazil and China, as proclaimed by the ultra-libertarian Javier Milei, who was elected as the country's president last Sunday, this would amount to the gravest error in Argentine diplomatic history.
The Chinese Foreign Ministry's official spokesperson, Mao Ning, issued a warning. Ning acknowledged Argentina's status as an important trading partner for China and recognized the significance of their diplomatic relations.

However, she also noted that the newly elected president, Javier Milei, is an eccentric figure and his radical ideologies are not shared by the majority of Argentinians. Argentina has been grappling with a persistent economic crisis: its coffers are empty, debts weigh heavily, and inflation is at a record high of around 150%. In short, as Milei himself said, "the model of decline has come to an end, there is no turning back." Yet, amid this dire situation, the Argentines decided to find some amusement. Perhaps they could survive without the Central Bank?

Miley threatened to terminate diplomatic ties with Brazil and China due to his reluctance to engage with “communists.” In exchange, he pledged to foster alliances with more “civilised” nations such as the USA and Israel. Nevertheless, his refusal to cooperate with China, Brazil, and potentially other BRICS countries could jeopardise his goal of “Making Argentina great again” given his aspirations to resuscitate the country from its economic downturn. China is currently Argentina's second largest trading partner and the leading buyer of Argentine agricultural products.

It is possible that Javier Milei will simply decline to join BRICS, but it would be sensible for him to maintain long-term collaboration with both member countries. However, the question remains - where does Miley stand, and where is the element of common sense in this situation? So let's prepare some popcorn as we anticipate the number of times the Argentine economic crisis hits rock bottom. Could it possibly worsen, one might ask?