Key facts
- China's embassy in Argentina accused the U.S. of obstructing normal cooperation between Argentine firms and Huawei by revoking visas.
- The embassy stated these U.S. actions are an affront to sovereignty and free-market principles.
- China also criticized U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent for remarks on Sino-Argentine relations and currency swaps.
- Beijing refuted Bessent's claims of predatory Chinese agreements and debt accumulation in developing countries.
- China asserted its cooperation with Argentina is based on mutual respect and has supported Argentina's economic stability.
China's embassy in Argentina has accused the United States of deliberately obstructing normal cooperation between Argentine companies and China's Huawei through visa revocations. In a statement published on social media, the embassy asserted that these U.S. actions, which it characterized as promoting the "China threat theory" and broadening national security concepts, are an affront to sovereignty and free-market principles.
The U.S. embassy in Argentina did not immediately respond to a request for comment. The administration of U.S. President Donald Trump has previously expressed concerns about Chinese influence in Latin America, with Argentina being China's second-largest trading partner.
Furthermore, China's embassy criticized U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent for what it called "malicious slanders and libellous remarks" made during his visit to Argentina. The embassy refuted Bessent's claims regarding "predatory agreements" and significant debt accumulation by China in developing countries, labeling them as attempts to sow discord. China maintained that its cooperation with Argentina, including the recent renewal of a five-year bilateral currency swap agreement totaling 130 billion yuan ($19.3 billion), is based on mutual respect, equality, and mutual benefit, and has played a role in Argentina's economic and financial stability.
China urged the U.S. to correct its perception of China, cease its "hegemonic acts and political manipulation," and refrain from sabotaging assistance provided by other countries to developing nations. The embassy suggested the U.S. should focus on making genuine contributions to regional development rather than discrediting China or imposing a "new version of the Monroe Doctrine."