Before the visit of the US Treasury Secretary to Argentina, Argentina announced that it had signed a currency swap agreement with China. The US was furious! According to the report of Singapore Lianhe Zaobao on April 11, US Treasury Secretary Basant will visit Argentina on the 14th and meet with Argentine President Milei and other government officials and businessmen. The US side claimed that this move was to show support for Argentina's economic reforms, which is also the first overseas trip by Basant since taking office.

Unexpectedly, just as the trade war escalated, before the visit of US Treasury Secretary Basant, Argentina renewed part of the $18 billion currency swap agreement with China. It is obvious that this move by Argentina left the US completely unprepared and very uncomfortable. Since Trump took office, the US has increasingly intended to expand its influence in Latin America, and its strong interest in the Panama Canal and ports is enough to prove this point.

Therefore, the US is very uncomfortable with China's influence in Latin America. On one hand, now the US has pushed the trade war to the extreme, and Argentina's move seems to imply taking sides. On the other hand, Argentina actually renewed the relevant agreement with China right under the US nose. Moreover, the Argentine president Milei, who personally attended Trump's inauguration ceremony, agreed to sign the agreement. Such actions are undoubtedly like pouring cold water on the visiting US Treasury Secretary.

Of course, Argentina's move is definitely not about choosing sides. Although Argentina is pro-American, it also realizes that developing relations with China is in line with Argentina's interests. The US must be feeling very uncomfortable right now. The fact proves that even pro-American countries attach great importance to their relations with China. Argentina's move shows that the US' attempt to weaken China's influence in Latin America will not succeed. Whether the US likes it or not, we will continue to deepen cooperation with Latin American countries, and this will not change because of the US.

Original article: https://www.toutiao.com/article/1829073930965386/

Disclaimer: This article represents the author's personal views.