Argentina's foreign minister said a newly signed U.S. critical minerals agreement does not prevent Chinese investment in the country's mining sector. The pact, announced after a Washington meeting of more than 50 countries where U.S. Vice President JD Vance proposed a minerals trading bloc, also includes a reciprocal trade and investment deal. Argentina pledged to prioritise the U.S. for copper, lithium and other critical minerals while seeking greater flexibility within Mercosur.
Argentina Says U.S. Critical-Minerals Deal Does Not Bar Chinese Investment, Foreign Minister Says
Attendees gather on the day of the Critical Minerals Ministerial meeting at the State Department in Washington, D.C., U.S., February 4, 2026. REUTERS/Jonathan Ernst
BUENOS AIRES, Feb 6 (Reuters) - Argentina's Foreign Minister Pablo Quirno said on Friday that a critical minerals agreement signed this week with the United States does not exclude Chinese investment in Argentina's mining sector.
Quirno told reporters the pact is intended to increase predictability for investors but does not prevent China from participating in or expanding its current investments in Argentine mineral projects.
"As of today, this does not imply that China cannot participate or will not participate in investments in Argentina. In fact, it has investments in Argentina, in minerals," Quirno said at a press conference.
The agreement was unveiled after a Washington gathering of more than 50 countries, where U.S. Vice President JD Vance proposed forming a trading bloc for critical minerals and outlined a U.S. plan to establish price floors for key commodities.
On Thursday the two governments also finalized a reciprocal trade and investment agreement in which Argentina agreed to give priority to the United States as a trading partner for copper, lithium and other critical minerals over what the text called "market-manipulating economies or enterprises" — a formulation widely understood to refer to China.
Quirno emphasized the deal's goal is to provide "greater predictability" so that American companies — already major investors in Argentina — can confidently expand their operations. He said the agreement seeks to attract sustained investment while preserving Argentina's ability to work with multiple partners.
Quirno also said Argentina is pressing for increased flexibility within the Mercosur trade bloc, which includes Brazil, Paraguay and Uruguay, and noted that Bolivia is expected to become a full member.
Reporting: Leila Miller. Writing: Brendan O'Boyle. Editing: Cassandra Garrison.
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