Ambassador Alec Oxenford emphasized that the new trade agreement with the United States opens a historic opportunity for the country and questioned the criticism from Kirchnerism
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Amid the political debate over therecent trade agreement between Argentina and the United States, Ambassador Alec Oxenford reaffirmed that the agreement represents a strategic leap for the country. In response to accusations from Kirchnerism about an alleged "industrial destruction" in Buenos Aires, the diplomat was categorical: "If we compare the two economies, one is much larger than the other. Gaining access to that market is a huge opportunity."
Oxenford dismissed the criticism from Peronism and directly targeted Governor Axel Kicillof. "Buenos Aires province is not particularly well off, I don't know if there's much left to destroy…" he said ironically. According to his explanation, Buenos Aires will be one of the main beneficiaries of the agreement because beef exports could multiply from 20,000 to 80,000 tons.
"We are moving in the right direction"
The ambassador defended the change of course promoted by the Government and compared it to Poland's 1991 economic transformation. "They moved away from statism and communism, and their GDP multiplied sevenfold. Argentina is emerging from years of statism and populism," he stated.
El embajador Oxenford defendió el acuerdo con EEUU y apuntó contra el kirchnerismo: 'Argentina sale del estatismo'
Oxenford argued that the international context is exceptional, with global value chains relocating from Asia to the Western Hemisphere. "If we are smart, we'll attract investments that are currently seeking new destinations," he pointed out.
The institutional path of the agreement
The diplomat explained that the process advances in three phases:
Joint statement: political announcement and intention to move forward.
Framework agreement: general architecture, negotiation boundaries, and cooperation mechanisms.
Specific commitments: lists of concessions, technical regulations, market openings, and final obligations.
For Oxenford, Argentina is leaving behind decades of isolation: "We spent 80 years building walls; now we are starting to build bridges with the U.S. and with the world."
Key points of the trade agreement
El embajador Oxenford defendió el acuerdo con EEUU y apuntó contra el kirchnerismo: 'Argentina sale del estatismo'
Among the main pillars of the Reciprocal Trade and Investment Framework Agreement are:
– Mutual market opening in key sectors such as pharmaceuticals, technology, food, and machinery.
– Reduction of tariffs and gradual elimination of non-tariff barriers.
– Acceptance of international standards for vehicles and medical devices.
– Strengthening of intellectual property and fight against counterfeiting.
– Facilitation of digital trade and data transfer.
– Cooperation in critical minerals, labor rights, and environmental standards.
– Review mechanisms and possible future expansion of the agreement.
Although internal procedures still need to be completed, both administrations agree that the agreement opens up a horizon of growth and greater integration with the West.
