Beijing break-up: Trump wants China out of Argentina. Could Milei afford it?

[BA Bound]

Milei’s dilemma: Trading with China while pleasing Trump

Milei previously vowed not do business with China – now he insists that trade ties do not complicate Argentina's alignment with the United States.

www.batimes.com.ar

 

[GlasgowJohn]

Wind supplies between 50 and 70% of Scotlands electricity needs depending on the year , and on the wind....

 

[Bingo]

Wind supplies between 50 and 70% of Scotlands electricity needs depending on the year , and on the wind....

Wow! Had no idea it was that high. I guess Trump would give a thumbs up there on it then.

 

[CraigM]

The latest theory on de-dollarization:

https://www.forbes.com/sites/digital-assets/2026/02/06/hugely-important-bessent-issues-surprise-warning-that-could-be-about-to-trigger-a-gold-and-bitcoin-price-shock/

“China is moving toward a digital currency that is likely backed by gold,” Otavio Costa, the chief executive of Azuria Capital, posted to X. “This is a hugely important—and still underappreciated—development.”

Costa said he’s “not suggesting this marks the end of the U.S. dollar or anything extreme but the direction is clear: The world is gradually moving back toward some form of a gold standard.”

 

[Cellular Shill]

The latest theory on de-dollarization:

https://www.forbes.com/sites/digital-assets/2026/02/06/hugely-important-bessent-issues-surprise-warning-that-could-be-about-to-trigger-a-gold-and-bitcoin-price-shock/

“China is moving toward a digital currency that is likely backed by gold,” Otavio Costa, the chief executive of Azuria Capital, posted to X. “This is a hugely important—and still underappreciated—development.”

Costa said he’s “not suggesting this marks the end of the U.S. dollar or anything extreme but the direction is clear: The world is gradually moving back toward some form of a gold standard.”

It is hard to trust any of these entities. But a currency that is backed by a gold standard would have a shot. I wish we went back to that but there are doubts if we have any gold at Fort Knox.

 

[CraigM]

You nailed it on the head. Takes trust but under Trump do other nations trust the USA? It seems like the USA isn't trending in the right direction either but I agree much more than China. It will be damn near impossible to make a new world reserve currency.

Hong Kong media baron and pro-democracy activist Jimmy Lai sentenced to 20 years in prison

Lai, who had pleaded not guilty to all charges, was among the first prominent figures arrested under Beijing's security law in August 2020.

www.cnbc.com

Trust is something China just doesn't understand, it's one step forward two steps back.

 

[Marleny]

Hong Kong media baron and pro-democracy activist Jimmy Lai sentenced to 20 years in prison

Lai, who had pleaded not guilty to all charges, was among the first prominent figures arrested under Beijing's security law in August 2020.

www.cnbc.com

Trust is something China just doesn't understand, it's one step forward two steps back.

It is why Argentina can't get ahead. No one can trust anyone. Imagine if they put in jail all the businessmen or politicians that got caught stealing. There would be no room to house anyone.

Milei even said last week that tax evasion isn't a crime. Argentina is such a low trust society. I believe companies are smart to stay out of Argentina. No rule of law.

 

[ElQueso]

 

[MikeAnton]

Interesting. Even Marco Rubio says "The time of the American dollar is done and in 5 years, we won't have the ability to sanction."

 

[Finance Prof]

Economically (not in any particular order):
1. Trump doesn't expect any country to stop trading with China just like he doesn't expect the US to stop trading with China.

2. Trump wants fair trade/trade practices from China and he is using tariffs to enforce it. He expects other countries to not allow China to use them as a way to bypass those tariffs.

3. He wants to protect the USD's status in global trade and reserve currency status. He will also use the threat of tariffs to accomplish that.

Militarily:
1. Trump considers China to be the primary threat.

2. The actions / focus related to Panama Canal, Argentina, Venezuela, Greenland, and Brazil are all related to China. It is to ensure we don't come close to a Cuban missile crisis situation and make sure China cannot project military power at the scale that the US is capable of now. It ensures the US has enough distance between from enemy launch sites to shoot down any missile heading to the continental US states.

3. Russia is probably seen as a future ally against China as opposed to being an enemy. A lot of things make more sense when you consider that as being the ultimate goal.

4. Trump is making every country choose sides now while it still has enough economic influence to ensure they side with the US. If the Democrats had won the White House, and China was allowed to continue as before... without #2 above, it would be a lot more difficult to stop China in another 8 years.

Good post and I agree.

 

[Uncle Wong]

The relationship with China and Argentina is going great. In 2025 Argentina imported $18 billion in goods from China.

Now Argentina is making enough to pay back some of the billions that it owes China from the debt swap. Argentina's economy is running on Chinese goods. And Argentina has what China needs Lithium, food (soy and beef) and energy.

 

[Wally]

The relationship with China and Argentina is going great. In 2025 Argentina imported $18 billion in goods from China.

Now Argentina is making enough to pay back some of the billions that it owes China from the debt swap. Argentina's economy is running on Chinese goods. And Argentina has what China needs Lithium, food (soy and beef) and energy.




View attachment 10560

It has been a good relationship over the years.