ARGENTINA · UNITED STATES
Key Facts
- —The country Argentina is one of South America’s largest economies, led by libertarian President Javier Milei, a close ally of US President Donald Trump.
- —Why it matters The call ties Milei’s Washington trip to US financing for Argentine ports, rail and shale gas, and to a joint push against organised crime.
- —Why now It came 18 days before the US midterm elections on 3 November, and days before a senior State Department delegation visits the region.
- —What happened On Friday 16 October, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Milei spoke by phone about trade, investment and security after Milei’s Washington visit.
- —The numbers Up to US$7 billion in US financing is tied to the Andes-Atlántico Corridor. An Export-Import Bank offer of up to US$6 billion for Argentina LNG still needs board approval.
- —What it means for you US exporters, energy firms and investors in Argentine assets should watch whether pledges become signed loans and contracts. The published statements announced no new tariff, loan or contract.
- —Still open Sources differ on which day Deputy Secretary of State Christopher Landau reaches Buenos Aires, and the vice-presidential trip has no confirmed date.
- —Power Index Argentina ranks 4th of 14 in The Rio Times Latin America Power Index, with 61.2 points (October 2026 edition).
The Milei Rubio call on Friday 16 October covered trade, investment and security, hours after the Argentine president left Washington. For US readers it matters because Washington is lining up financing for Argentine energy and infrastructure, plus a regional anti-drug unit.
Secretary of State Marco Rubio, the top US diplomat, and Argentina’s libertarian President Javier Milei spoke by phone for about 30 minutes, Canal26 and MDZ said. The State Department said they discussed expanding bilateral trade, transparent investment and shared security across the hemisphere, as La Tercera and MDZ quoted it.
What the Milei Rubio Call Covered
The Argentine presidency issued its own communique, dated Buenos Aires on 16 October, as MDZ and Canal26 relayed it. It said both men agreed that cooperation rests on freedom, democratic institutions, free trade and private initiative.
They also pledged to keep working closely toward concrete results that benefit both the American and the Argentine people. It followed an informal meeting in New York in September, on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly, MDZ noted.
Milei had been in Washington since Wednesday 14 October. On Thursday 15 October he met US Energy Secretary Chris Wright, MDZ said.
The call also follows a protocol that Foreign Minister Pablo Quirno announced on Thursday 15 October with US Trade Representative Jamieson Greer. Noticias NQN said the protocol clears the way to send the February trade agreement to Congress and restates the US pledge of most-favoured-nation treatment; see our report, Argentina Trade Deal Gets a US Rewrite.
Who Is Coming to Buenos Aires Next
Perfil said the State Department will send Deputy Secretary Christopher Landau and Assistant Secretary Juan Pablo Segura to Argentina. Landau is due to meet Milei, Quirno, members of Congress and private-sector leaders.
The trip is part of a regional tour from 19 to 26 October that starts in Asunción, Paraguay, as El Litoral and Perfil relayed the State Department statement. La Tercera gave Monday 19 October for Buenos Aires, but Perfil said the day is unannounced.
Perfil said the aim is to build on the launch of the Andes-Atlántico Corridor. Segura wrote on X that Washington is working to expand trade, deepen regional security cooperation and strengthen hemisphere partnerships.
Perfil said the visit also prepares for a trip by Vice President JD Vance in the third week of November. MDZ said Vance would meet Milei at the Casa Rosada, but no date or agenda is confirmed.
The Money Behind the Andes-Atlántico Corridor
Quirno and Landau launched the corridor on Wednesday 23 September, Argentina’s foreign ministry said. It aims to draw long-term investment in transport, energy and digital links between Argentina’s key sectors and Atlantic ports.
Quirno said on 15 October that a US$7 billion Export-Import Bank line and US development-finance instruments will back the corridor, Noticias NQN reported. Perfil and MDZ describe the package as up to US$7 billion in US financing through 2027.
Perfil called Argentina LNG, a gas export venture of Argentina’s YPF, Italy’s Eni and the UAE’s XRG, the most advanced project. The US Export-Import Bank offered up to US$6 billion in September, but its board must still approve the loan.
LM Neuquén put the project’s full cost at about US$51 billion over its life, with roughly US$29 billion invested by 2031. Its first phase would export 12 million tonnes of liquefied gas a year from two floating units off Río Negro province.
Security is the second pillar, and Argentina’s Security Ministry said in early October that Washington approved over US$13 million for a regional anti-narcotics unit in Argentina. Of that, US$7.5 million funds Argentine projects and US$5.85 million funds regional ones, La Capital reported; see Argentina Gets US Anti-Drug Unit and US$13.35 Million.
What It Means for You
For US exporters and energy companies, the statements show Washington keeping trade, investment and security in one package with Argentina. The corridor text says the plan aims to secure US supply chains and open projects to American firms.
For investors in Argentine assets, the near-term test is whether pledges become signed loans and contracts, starting with the Export-Import Bank board vote. Argentina’s Congress must also debate the February trade agreement, which has not yet been ratified.
The call comes before the US midterms on 3 November and Argentina’s 2027 presidential election, Canal26 noted. Both votes could change how much political weight each government puts on the partnership.
The risks are practical, because the loan still needs a board vote and the trade deal needs Congress. Our earlier Milei Lands in Washington for 36-Hour Visit report covers the trip that preceded the call.
What Is Not Known
The statements do not say what was discussed beyond trade, investment and security, or whether any decision was taken. They name no new tariff, loan or contract.
Sources disagree on when Landau reaches Buenos Aires: La Tercera says Monday 19 October, Perfil says no date is announced. They also differ on the call itself, since Radio Mitre places it during Milei’s visit and La Tercera after it.
Canal26 places the call on Friday morning, but the statements quoted by other outlets give no time. It is also unclear whether the US$7 billion line and the US$6 billion LNG offer overlap.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is Marco Rubio?
Marco Rubio is the US Secretary of State, the president’s top diplomat, and a former senator from Florida. He spoke with Milei by phone on Friday 16 October.
What did the Milei Rubio call cover?
The State Department said they discussed expanding bilateral trade, transparent investment and shared security across the hemisphere. The Argentine presidency added that both stressed freedom, democratic institutions and free trade.
Who are Christopher Landau and Juan Pablo Segura?
Landau is the US Deputy Secretary of State, the department’s second-ranking official. Segura is the assistant secretary for Western Hemisphere affairs, whom Perfil describes as the son of Argentine emigrants.
What is the Andes-Atlántico Corridor?
It is a joint US and Argentine initiative, launched on 23 September, to attract investment in transport, energy and digital links to Atlantic ports. Argentina’s foreign ministry says it also covers critical minerals and Vaca Muerta gas.
Is the US$7 billion in financing already approved?
The sources describe up to US$7 billion in financing, but the loan detail confirmed so far is an offer. An Export-Import Bank offer of up to US$6 billion for Argentina LNG still needs board approval.
When will JD Vance visit Argentina?
Perfil and MDZ say Vice President JD Vance is due in the third week of November. No date or agenda has been confirmed.
Sources: La Tercera, 17 October 2026, MDZ, 16 October 2026, Canal26, 17 October 2026, Perfil, 16 October 2026, El Litoral, 16 October 2026, Radio Mitre, 16 October 2026, Argentine foreign ministry, 23 September 2026, Noticias NQN, 15 October 2026, LM Neuquén, 24 September 2026, La Capital, 6 October 2026.
This article was produced by The Rio Times’ automated newsroom system. How we use AI · Report an error · Editorial responsibility: Matthias Camenzind, Editor-in-Chief
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