Heine on Argentina-China Relations Under Milei
The Latin America Advisor, a daily publication of the Inter-American Dialogue, a Washington think tank, recently focused on the likely course of Argentine-China relations during the Milei presidency, including his early rhetoric about severing ties with China.
A vital question emerged: How likely is Milei to sever Argentina’s relations with China, and what consequences would such a move imply? 
Addressing this inquiry, Ambassador Jorge Heine, Research Professor at Boston University’s Frederick S. Pardee School of Global Studies and Interim Director of the Frederick S. Pardee Center for the Study of the Longer-Range Future, provided insightful commentary.
Heine emphasized the impracticality of Milei’s initial campaign rhetoric, stating, “Milei will not sever ties with China.” Heine’s analysis suggests a pragmatic approach driven by Argentina’s economic dependency on China and the potential repercussions of disrupting existing projects.
In the article, Heine elaborated on Milei’s evolving stance, noting the president’s acknowledgment of China’s significance through expressing gratitude for President Xi Jinping’s congratulatory letter. He emphasized Milei’s delicate position, caught between the economic needs of a struggling Argentina and the geopolitical considerations of challenging a global power.
Heine emphasized this by stating,
“Milei is caught between a rock and a hard place. He needs the United States to help renegotiate its $45 billion debt to the IMF, which Argentina can’t pay. Yet, he also needs the Chinese market.”
The Latin American Advisor’s exploration of this diplomatic conundrum offers readers a comprehensive view, including insights from Amb. Heine, of the challenges Argentina faces under Milei’s leadership and can be read in full here.