Argentina’s president to visit Chilean counterpart to discuss trade relations

Argentinian President Alberto Fernandez is set to visit Chilean President Sebastian Piñera today in Santiago.

This will be the first face-to-face meeting between the two heads of state since Fernandez assumed office in December 2019. There has been some tension between Fernandez and Piñera due to their ideological differences, exacerbated by Fernandez’s encouragement of the Chilean opposition to “take back power”. Nevertheless, relations have improved since and today’s bilateral meeting could reignite the relationship.

Both countries are keen on improving economic relations as a boost to kickstart their economies, which have been severely affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. The meeting will likely lead to improved personal relations between both heads of state and a renewed commitment to economic ties between both countries. Fernandez and Piñera will ratify an agreement regarding automobile exports between both countries, changing certain regulations to increase bilateral trade. The upcoming Mercosur Presidential Summit, scheduled to be held in Argentina in July, will also likely feature in the agenda. Both countries are eager to strengthen the trade association as potential ratification of the EU-Mercosur trade agreement looms.

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