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Argentina

The latest news, analysis and opinion on Argentina. In-depth analysis, industry insights and expert opinion.

Capital

Buenos Aires

Head of State

President Javier Milei

Head of Government

President Javier Milei

Chilean President Gabriel Boric leaves the La Moneda presidential palace in Santiago after his four-year term ended on Wednesday. Photo: Handout

China-Latin America relations

Chile’s Boric leaves office, calls for unity after China cable fallout

Undersea fibre-optic cable project linking Chile to Hong Kong enraged US, causing dispute that defined Gabriel Boric’s final weeks in office.

31 minutes agovideocam

China-Latin America relations

US threats and a Chinese cable scandal mark first day for Chile’s new president

4 hours agovideocam

Americas and the Caribbean

Trump offers Latin American leaders US missile strikes to hit drug cartels

8 Mar 2026 - 1:46AM

Israel-Gaza war

Trump’s ‘Board of Peace’ debuts with Gaza pledge as war threat looms elsewhere

The US president gathers global allies to fund Gaza’s reconstruction while issuing a final 10-day warning to Iran.

20 Feb 2026 - 10:04AM

US President Donald during the signing ceremony in Washington. Photo: AFP

SCMP Highlights

CATL’s sodium-ion breakthrough, Tesla’s AI training centre: 7 EV reads

From China banning carmakers from selling below cost to Chinese brands’ dominance in Brazil, here are seven EV stories you may have missed.

18 Feb 2026 - 3:30PM

China-Latin America relations

Opinion | Why trade alone won’t make China beloved in South America

The path of China-South America relations will be decided in neighbourhoods and kitchens, not just presidential palaces or investment forums.

18 Feb 2026 - 7:06AMvideocam

US-China relations

US seeks fair China competition, looks to realign Latin America ties

Scott Bessent says Washington wants to reduce security risks without decoupling from Beijing as it steps up engagement across Latin America.

11 Feb 2026 - 6:16AMvideocam

Scott Bessent has outlined Washington’s approach to managing economic risks with China while expanding engagement in Latin America. Photo: Getty Images

China-Latin America relations

China becomes Brazil’s biggest vehicle exporter in January, surpassing Argentina

The shift ends more than three decades of Argentine dominance, built on Mercosur rules and geographic proximity to Brazil’s car dealers.

10 Feb 2026 - 6:00AMvideocam

Donald Trump

Leaders invited to Trump’s Board of Peace meeting in US. Who’s going?

Argentina’s Javier Milei and Hungary’s Viktor Orban confirm attendance after invitations go out.

9 Feb 2026 - 11:57AM

Malaysia

7 Fifa-banned Malaysian footballers cleared to play after court grants stay

The Court of Arbitration for Sport said the foreign-born players linked to forgery scandal can keep competing until a final ruling is made.

27 Jan 2026 - 3:33PM

Malaysia’s players pose before the start of the AFC Asian Cup qualifier Group F football match between Malaysia and Vietnam in Kuala Lumpur last year. Photo: AFP

China-Latin America relations

Xi to meet Orsi in first Latin America-China visit since US capture of Maduro

State visit from February 1 to 7 aims to promote commercial ties with Beijing despite tension in region after US operation in Venezuela.

27 Jan 2026 - 6:17AMvideocam

Uruguayan President Yamandu Orsi is set to meet Chinese President Xi Jinping during a state visit to Beijing next month. Photo: EPA

World Economic Forum (WEF) in Davos

Larry Fink considers rotating World Economic Forum away from Davos

The interim co-chief, and BlackRock CEO says the ‘mountain must come down to earth’ proposing a rotation to hubs like Detroit, Dublin and Jakarta.

21 Jan 2026 - 5:54PMvideocam

US-China relations

China confirms invite to Trump’s Gaza ‘peace board’ – won’t say if it will join

US President Donald Trump has invited dozens of leaders to join the body, but is reportedly demanding US$1 billion for permanent membership.

20 Jan 2026 - 9:55PMvideocam

Donald Trump

Trump wants nations to pay US$1 billion to stay on his Board of Peace

Critics are worried that the US president is trying to build an alternative – or rival – to the United Nations.

18 Jan 2026 - 12:19PM

US President Donald Trump at his Mar-a-Lago Club in Palm Beach, Florida, on Friday. Photo: AP

China-Latin America relations

Argentina’s Milei plans 2026 China trip despite US pressure on ties

Leader cites China as a key trade partner, underscoring a sharp shift from his 2023 campaign attacks to a more pragmatic stance.

13 Jan 2026 - 4:36AMvideocam

Argentine President Javier Milei speaks at the America Business Forum at Kaseya Center in Miami, Florida, in November. Photo: Reuters

United States

US says Argentina has ‘fully repaid’ currency lifeline

Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent says the loan is paid in full, netting millions in profit for the US while stabilising Javier Milei’s government.

10 Jan 2026 - 2:53AM

European Union

EU agrees to ‘world’s largest’ free-trade zone with Mercosur pact after 25 years

The EU sealed the historic deal with Brazil, Argentina, Uruguay and Paraguay to form a 700 million strong bloc, defying fierce farmer opposition.

9 Jan 2026 - 9:59PM

United States

Explainer | US interventions in Latin America: a history of coups and conflicts

From the Bay of Pigs to Operation Condor to Venezuela in 2026: A look at the legacy of CIA-backed coups and US military action in Latin America.

3 Jan 2026 - 11:16PM

Members of Cuban Assault Brigade 2506 after their capture at the Bay of Pigs, Cuba, April 1961. Photo: AFP

International Monetary Fund (IMF)

Argentina targets US dollars hoarded under mattresses, eases tax evasion rules

The country wants Argentines to bank their dollars amid high inflation, with estimates of ‘mattress dollars’ totalling US$251 billion.

3 Jan 2026 - 9:17AM

Switzerland

Explainer | Swiss bar inferno joins long list of world’s worst club fires

A look at some of the worst fires in bars, nightclubs and music venues in past decades, where celebrations turned to tragedy in seconds.

2 Jan 2026 - 2:38PM

Fifa

Argentina FA in turmoil ahead of World Cup over mystery villa, dirty money claims

Carlos Tevez claim over actions of governing body’s treasurer prompted investigation that uncovered 54 cars, helicopter at luxury property.

2 Jan 2026 - 3:36AM

A member of the Argentine Federal Police walks after seizing a printer from the Claudio Chiqui Tapia stadium in Buenos Aires, which belongs to the soccer team Barracas Central, during a raid on December 9. Photo: Reuters

US-China relations

China buys two-thirds of pledged US soybeans as 2025 closes

Beijing has moved to reduce tariffs on the crop and lifted import bans on three US exporters after talks between Xi and Trump.

1 Jan 2026 - 1:44AMvideocam

A combine harvests a soybean field in Tracy, Minnesota, in October. Photo: TNS

China trade

China imposes beef-import quota, adds over-quota tariffs to guard local industry

From Thursday, over-quota imports from Brazil, Australia, US and other trade partners face new duties to help local producers recover amid price declines.

31 Dec 2025 - 9:00PM

Tourism

Expedition to Chile’s Cape Horn reveals awesome nature at the world’s end

A 5-day cruise to South America’s southern tip stuns with fiords, penguins and wind-blasted cliffs reached via the world’s deadliest waters.

30 Dec 2025 - 7:15AM

United States

Are Trump loyalists struggling in US rural heartland ready to say ‘enough’?

Hammered by crippling costs and precious revenue lost to China, Midwest farmers’ loyalty to the US president will be tested in 2026 midterms.

21 Dec 2025 - 7:35AMvideocam

China-EU relations

EU facing crunch talks over Ukraine, China and its economic future

EU leaders are set to meet amid growing concern in Brussels that the bloc’s divisions will impede meaningful action across a range of issues.

18 Dec 2025 - 2:07PMvideocam

EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said the bloc had to decide what option it wanted to take to ensure Ukraine received funding. Photo: dpa

China-Latin America relations

China seeks greater influence in US backyard

The US is trying to shut China out of Latin America, even as the Asian nation outlines plans to further grow trade and investment in the resource-rich region.

17 Dec 2025 - 5:00PM

Hong Kong economy

Opinion | Hong Kong is stepping up its competitiveness in aviation

By funding upgrades to the airport and signing international aviation deals, the city is proactively working to expand its global reach.

16 Dec 2025 - 6:45AM

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Argentina

Chile’s Boric leaves office, calls for unity after China cable fallout

Undersea fibre-optic cable project linking Chile to Hong Kong enraged US, causing dispute that defined Gabriel Boric’s final weeks in office.

US threats and a Chinese cable scandal mark first day for Chile’s new president

Trump offers Latin American leaders US missile strikes to hit drug cartels

Trump’s ‘Board of Peace’ debuts with Gaza pledge as war threat looms elsewhere

The US president gathers global allies to fund Gaza’s reconstruction while issuing a final 10-day warning to Iran.

CATL’s sodium-ion breakthrough, Tesla’s AI training centre: 7 EV reads

From China banning carmakers from selling below cost to Chinese brands’ dominance in Brazil, here are seven EV stories you may have missed.

.css-1m2rp1p{color:#34b8b5;}Opinion | Why trade alone won’t make China beloved in South America

The path of China-South America relations will be decided in neighbourhoods and kitchens, not just presidential palaces or investment forums.

US seeks fair China competition, looks to realign Latin America ties

Scott Bessent says Washington wants to reduce security risks without decoupling from Beijing as it steps up engagement across Latin America.

China becomes Brazil’s biggest vehicle exporter in January, surpassing Argentina

The shift ends more than three decades of Argentine dominance, built on Mercosur rules and geographic proximity to Brazil’s car dealers.

Leaders invited to Trump’s Board of Peace meeting in US. Who’s going?

Argentina’s Javier Milei and Hungary’s Viktor Orban confirm attendance after invitations go out.

7 Fifa-banned Malaysian footballers cleared to play after court grants stay

The Court of Arbitration for Sport said the foreign-born players linked to forgery scandal can keep competing until a final ruling is made.

Xi to meet Orsi in first Latin America-China visit since US capture of Maduro

State visit from February 1 to 7 aims to promote commercial ties with Beijing despite tension in region after US operation in Venezuela.

Larry Fink considers rotating World Economic Forum away from Davos

The interim co-chief, and BlackRock CEO says the ‘mountain must come down to earth’ proposing a rotation to hubs like Detroit, Dublin and Jakarta.

China confirms invite to Trump’s Gaza ‘peace board’ – won’t say if it will join

US President Donald Trump has invited dozens of leaders to join the body, but is reportedly demanding US$1 billion for permanent membership.

Trump wants nations to pay US$1 billion to stay on his Board of Peace

Critics are worried that the US president is trying to build an alternative – or rival – to the United Nations.

Argentina’s Milei plans 2026 China trip despite US pressure on ties

Leader cites China as a key trade partner, underscoring a sharp shift from his 2023 campaign attacks to a more pragmatic stance.

US says Argentina has ‘fully repaid’ currency lifeline

Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent says the loan is paid in full, netting millions in profit for the US while stabilising Javier Milei’s government.

EU agrees to ‘world’s largest’ free-trade zone with Mercosur pact after 25 years

The EU sealed the historic deal with Brazil, Argentina, Uruguay and Paraguay to form a 700 million strong bloc, defying fierce farmer opposition.

.css-sioo19{color:#c79a00;}Explainer | US interventions in Latin America: a history of coups and conflicts

From the Bay of Pigs to Operation Condor to Venezuela in 2026: A look at the legacy of CIA-backed coups and US military action in Latin America.

Argentina targets US dollars hoarded under mattresses, eases tax evasion rules

The country wants Argentines to bank their dollars amid high inflation, with estimates of ‘mattress dollars’ totalling US$251 billion.

Explainer | Swiss bar inferno joins long list of world’s worst club fires

A look at some of the worst fires in bars, nightclubs and music venues in past decades, where celebrations turned to tragedy in seconds.

Argentina FA in turmoil ahead of World Cup over mystery villa, dirty money claims

Carlos Tevez claim over actions of governing body’s treasurer prompted investigation that uncovered 54 cars, helicopter at luxury property.

China buys two-thirds of pledged US soybeans as 2025 closes

Beijing has moved to reduce tariffs on the crop and lifted import bans on three US exporters after talks between Xi and Trump.

China imposes beef-import quota, adds over-quota tariffs to guard local industry

From Thursday, over-quota imports from Brazil, Australia, US and other trade partners face new duties to help local producers recover amid price declines.

Expedition to Chile’s Cape Horn reveals awesome nature at the world’s end

A 5-day cruise to South America’s southern tip stuns with fiords, penguins and wind-blasted cliffs reached via the world’s deadliest waters.

Are Trump loyalists struggling in US rural heartland ready to say ‘enough’?

Hammered by crippling costs and precious revenue lost to China, Midwest farmers’ loyalty to the US president will be tested in 2026 midterms.

EU facing crunch talks over Ukraine, China and its economic future

EU leaders are set to meet amid growing concern in Brussels that the bloc’s divisions will impede meaningful action across a range of issues.

China seeks greater influence in US backyard

The US is trying to shut China out of Latin America, even as the Asian nation outlines plans to further grow trade and investment in the resource-rich region.

Opinion | Hong Kong is stepping up its competitiveness in aviation

By funding upgrades to the airport and signing international aviation deals, the city is proactively working to expand its global reach.

Opinion | Why trade alone won’t make China beloved in South America

Explainer | US interventions in Latin America: a history of coups and conflicts