Bessent's arrival isn't part of a regional tour: his only stop is Argentina
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The United States Treasury Secretary, Scott Bessent, arrived this Monday in Buenos Aires on a high-stakes political and economic express visit.
In the context of an Argentine economy without currency controls and the launch of a new economic program under Javier Milei's management, the presence of Donald Trump's trusted official takes on special significance.
A 12-hour trip with a packed agenda
The arrival of Bessent is not part of a regional tour: his only stop was Argentina. He landed in the morning at Aeroparque on a U.S. government plane, followed by a private aircraft with part of his entourage. He is accompanied by figures such as:
Robert Citrone, billionaire investor and founder of Discovery Group.
Matt del Orfano, his specialist in the Argentine economy.
Matt Schlapp, president of CPAC and a key Trump ally.
Soledad Cedro, CEO of CPAC Argentina.
"Bessent isn't here for leisure. He takes the day to come, and there will be some announcement," commented a source close to the negotiations to Infobae.
Scott Bessent llegó a la Argentina con respaldo de Trump y posible financiamiento
The agenda includes a meeting with Milei and Luis Caputo, a lunch with businesspeople and multinational CEOs at Palacio Bosch, and meetings with the Argentine government's economic team.
Possible announcements: financing, swap with China, and critical minerals
The visit follows the recent agreement with the IMF, which meant support for the Government's economic plan. According to reports, Bessent might be evaluating with the Argentine Executive a special credit line through the Exchange Stabilization Fund (ESF). This mechanism was already used by the U.S. in 1995 with Mexico and in 2002 with Uruguay.
The possibility of canceling the currency swap with China, valued at around USD 18 billion, was also mentioned as part of a strategy to reduce Chinese influence in the country. This would be a high-impact geopolitical move.
Another important aspect of the visit involves a potential agreement for the supply of critical minerals, such as lithium and rare earths, strategic elements for the global technology and energy industry. Bessent has already negotiated this type of agreement with Ukraine on behalf of the White House.
The tariff policy in the background
Amid the global trade war and following the announcement of a "tariff truce" for 90 days by Trump, there is also speculation that the U.S. might be exploring a zero-tariff agreement for certain Argentine products, as a gesture of rapprochement and a model of bilateral cooperation.
Scott Bessent llegó a la Argentina con respaldo de Trump y posible financiamiento
"Argentina appears as a country willing to negotiate quickly," expressed the trade representative Jamieson Greer before the U.S. Senate.
Who is Scott Bessent
A Political Science graduate from Yale, Bessent has a background as a hedge fund manager, was part of the Soros group, and founded Key Square Group. In Argentina, he has close ties with Pierpaolo Barbieri (Ualá) and José Luis Daza, Deputy Minister of Economy, in whose fund Bessent was an investor.
His role in the Trump administration was consolidated in recent weeks by being key in the decision to temporarily suspend the tariff escalation. His visit to Buenos Aires could mark a turning point in the bilateral relationship between the U.S. and Argentina, both economically and geopolitically.
