Argentina and US sign critical minerals agreement

Argentina and the United States have signed a deal to secure the supply of critical minerals between the two countries. The new deal, formally called Framework Instrument for Securing of Supply in the Mining and Processing of Critical Minerals, was signed on Wednesday in the context of the 2026 Critical Minerals Ministerial in Washington. The agreement establishes that Argentina and the U.S. “ratify their strategic partnership and their commitment to the development of a safe, resilient and competitive supply” of critical minerals, according to a statement from the Argentine foreign ministry. The deal aims to “consolidate more solid and diversified value chains.” It will also look to create an environment favorable to long term investments to Argentina and meeting the increase in global demand for these minerals. “For Argentina, this instrument represents an opportunity of economic and productive growth,” the statement read. Foreign Minister Pablo Quirno said the deal will enable “more exports, more investments and more jobs” for Argentina. He also thanked Deputy Secretary of State Christopher Landau for his “commitment to continue strengthening this strategic partnership” and added the acronym TMAP, popular among officials of the Javier Milei government, which means “It All Goes According to Plan.” Quirno and Landau had already met on Tuesday. “Critical minerals cooperation strengthens U.S.-Argentina ties and advances secure, sustainable supply chains,” Landau wrote on X that day after their meeting. The U.S. Department of State published a release saying that United States is committed to deepening economic, investment, and energy ties with Argentina. Landau also commended Argentina’s “leadership and its shared commitment to promoting international security and stability.” On Wednesday, representatives of 54 countries and the European Commission — which the U.S. government called “partners and allies” — attended the Critical Minerals Ministerial in Washington to “reshape the global market for critical minerals and rare earths.” During the meeting, the United States signed 11 new bilateral critical minerals frameworks with Argentina, the Cook Islands, Ecuador, Guinea, Morocco, Paraguay, Peru, the Philippines, the United Arab Emirates, and Uzbekistan. Mining in Argentina The Milei administration sees mining as a key sector for economic growth, especially regarding critical minerals such as lithium and copper. The government believes it will help increase exports, dollar reserves, and job creation. “Ove the next seven years, Argentina is headed towards a US$100 billion increase in total exports. Mining’s share is growin, as it could surpass US$20 billion in that time frame and over US$30 billion by the end of the next decade,” the foreign ministry said. Critical minerals, a category that includes rare lands, are key for the manufacture of planes, submarines, electric cars, cellphones, satellites and many other key new technologies. They are also fundamental for the energetic transition from fossil fuel to non (or less) contaminating sources of energy. The United States relies on exports for several critical minerals. Argentina is rich in rare lands, lithium and copper. The government is pushing a bill that would allow mining in areas surrounding glaciers, which is currently banned, and where those minerals can be found. You may also be interested in: New pro-mining bills signal shift in Argentina’s environmental views