Elon Musk could prove catalyst in Argentina-US relations: expert

Tech billionaire Elon Musk could prove to speed up in boosting ties between Argentina and the United States, an expert said, after the Tesla chief met iconoclastic Latin American leader, Javier Milei.

The two icons met at Tesla electric car factory in Texas on Friday, marking their first in-person meeting after months of admiring each other on social media.

They discussed issues, ranging from the expected (how to promote entrepreneurship by slashing red-tape) to the random (the existential danger posed by declining birth rates), Milei’s office said, according to the Associated Press.

Argentina can become a key partner for the US as its new leader is open to capitalist ideas compared to other socialist governments across Latin America — from Chile to Brazil.

“There’s a chance that Argentina can fill this vacuum and eventually be a strategic partner for the US,” said Sergio Berensztein, who runs a political consultancy in Buenos Aires. “Musk can serve to speed this process of Argentina becoming part of the (US) new network of friends.”

Argentina’s Ambassador to the US, who attended the meeting, said: “He (Musk) expressed wanting to help Argentina, and had a very good view of everything we have, mainly lithium.”