Canada's International Trading Partners: Argentina Abdul Hannan BBB4M1-21 Mrs. Snively February 7, 2025 Current Economic, Political, and Social Issues in Argentina Argentina faces strict social, political, and economic challenges. Rigid funding measures by President Javier Milei have reduced the annual inflation rate from about 290% in April 2023 to about 118% in 2024, but it has grown poverty rates, now over 50%. The Milei administration supports aggressive deregulation policies and enacts constitutional changes that would weaken organized labor and reduce the government's influence within the economy, a situation that has sparked wide scale protests and strikes among concerned Argentinians who fear an attack on the rights of the working class will further increase already high, income inequality. Socially speaking, the health sector is under a lot of strain due to the radical cuts in public spending, which results in shortages of personnel and medical supplies in hospitals like the Buenos Aires' Hospital and Pediátrico Garrahan, jeopardizing the quality of care in general. Argentina's Top Imports and Exports Top 3 Exports: 1. Cereals: US$8.1 billion (12.1% of total exports) 2. Vehicles: US$7.8 billion (11.7% of total exports) 3. Food Waste & Animal Fodder: US$6.3 billion (9.4% of total exports) Top 3 Imports: 1. Machinery, including Computers: US$10.6 billion (15.3% of total imports) 2. Vehicles: US$7.9 billion (11.3% of total imports) 3. Electrical Machinery & Equipment: US$7.8 billion (11.1% of total imports) Top Canadian exports to Argentina included mineral products, machinery, chemical products, plastics, rubber, and specialized instruments. Canada does provide Argentina with one of its top imports of machinery. Argentina's main exports to Canada is mostly gold but also consists of other precious metals or stones, jewelry, food products, beverages, spirits, vinegar and tobacco products, products of the chemical or allied industries, and vegetable products. Current Status of Canada-Argentina Relations As of 2022, merchandise trade between Canada and Argentina was valued at $1.6 billion. The value of Canadas exports to Argentina was nearly $325.3 million making Argentina Canada's 54th-largest export destination. Both countries have recently worked together on peacekeeping and reconstruction efforts, particularly in Haiti, and have held discussions to deepen their trade and investment ties. Relationships have been strengthened by visits such as Prime Minister Justin Trudeau's formal visit to Argentina in November 2016. With continuous attempts to improve political and economic interactions, Canada and Argentina generally continue to have a cooperative relationship. Works Cited Barber, H. (2025, January 6). “financial suffocation”: Argentina’s medics fear impact of milei’s chainsaw cuts. The Guardian. https://www.theguardian.com/world/2025/jan/06/argentina-milei-healthcare-budgetchainsaw-cuts?utm Canada, G. A. (2022, November 16). Government of Canada. GAC. https://www.international.gc.ca/country-pays/argentinaargentine/relations.aspx?lang=eng&utm_source Clarke, C. (2024, December 16). What are the top 10 Argentinian imports & exports?. AGI Global Logistics. https://www.agi.global/news/what-are-the-top-10-argentinianimports-exports?utm Morland, S. (2025, February 6). Argentina analysts more upbeat on 2025 inflation, economic growth | Reuters. Argentina analysts more upbeat on 2025 inflation, economic growth. https://www.reuters.com/world/americas/argentina-analystsexpect-lower-2025-inflation-nudge-up-economy-forecasts-2025-02-06/ Rogero, T. (2025, February 5). Javier Milei announces Argentina to leave World Health Organization. The Guardian. https://www.theguardian.com/world/2025/feb/05/javier-milei-argentina-who?utm Wikimedia Foundation. (2024, November 20). Argentina–Canada relations. Wikipedia. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Argentina%E2%80%93Canada_relations?utm
