Backing out of BRICS Suggests a Westward Shift in Argentina’s Foreign Policy

Written by Joseph Cain | December 3, 2023

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Argentina was poised to join BRICS on January 1^st, 2024. However, incoming Foreign Minister Diana Mondino, has publicly stated that Argentina will not be joining BRICS. BRICS is currently composed of Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa but was in the process of adding Argentina, Ethiopia, Egypt, Iran, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates to its membership. Argentina’s admission to the group was originally extended by Xi Jinping to the outgoing Alberto Fernandez administration but with Javier Milei winning the Argentina Presidential Election in November that process effectively ended.

On the campaign trail, President-elect Javier Milei called Brazilian President Lula da Silva a communist and compared the Chinese Communist Party to assassins. Milei also threatened to cut ties with the country as a result. Although, Milei’s post to his X account last week highlighted the Argentine dependency on having access to the Chinse market for its exports. In the post, Milei struck a conciliatory tone with Xi for congratulating him on his election win and talked about the importance of the bilateral relationship. In the same week, the Chinese Foreign Minister warned Argentina that it would be a grave mistake to cut ties with the country. Still, Milei’s comments and decision remove Argentina from the group of countries joining from BRICS also suggests a chance for closer relations with the United States. This week Milei took a trip to the United States and met with Jake Sullivan, the National Security Advisor, at the White House, according to VOA.