Gerardo Werthein met with the US Secretary of Commerce in a key meeting

Argentine Foreign Minister Gerardo Werthein held a meeting with the United States Secretary of Commerce, Howard Lutnick, a central figure in the design of the reciprocal tariff policy that President Donald Trump presented yesterday at the White House.

"Thanks to the U.S. Secretary of Commerce @HowardLutnick for the excellent meeting and the warm welcome to our entire team. Working together, we will strengthen and expand trade between our two great nations," Werthein posted on his official X account.

Jamieson Greer, head of the United States Trade Representative (USTR) Office, also participated in the meeting. He worked closely with the U.S. president in formulating the new U.S. tariff policy.

"Thank you, USTR Representative @JamiesonGreer, for the excellent meeting and the enriching exchange. It's a pleasure to work with you and your team!," added the foreign minister on X.

The importance of the meeting

The meeting between Werthein, Lutnick, and Greer aimed to initiate a negotiation with the United States to reduce the tariffs that the Republican government imposed on all Argentine exports to the U.S. market. However, Argentina was one of the least affected countries by the reciprocal tariffs.

In this framework, Lutnick's participation in the meeting with Werthein reaffirms the strategic alliance between Trump and Milei. The Secretary of Commerce is sought after by the governments of France, Germany, United Kingdom, Canada, and Mexico, but, following instructions from the Republican leader, he decided to join Greer, who was originally the host of the meeting with the Argentine foreign minister.

In this context, Eric Trump, son of the U.S. president, posted a message highlighting the great diplomatic victory that Milei's government achieved with the meeting between Lutnick and Werthein. 

"I wouldn't want to be the last country trying to negotiate a trade deal with Donald Trump. The first to negotiate will win; the last will undoubtedly lose. I've seen this movie my whole life…," Eric stated.

President Javier Milei shared Eric Trump's message and declared: "Will the great analysts understand the scope of this post? Will they know who is one of the first to have met with the U.S. Secretary of Commerce after his interview with Bloomberg? CHEER UP!".

The technical foundations that Werthein presented to Lutnick and Greer will receive political support when Milei meets with Trump in Mar-a-Lago, barring any last-minute unforeseen events. In that meeting, the foreign minister will be accompanied by the Minister of Economy, Luis "Toto" Caputo, and the Secretary General of the Presidency, Karina Milei.