Argentine President Javier Milley waves during the commemoration of the 214th anniversary of the May Revolution in Plaza San Martin in Cordoba, Argentina, May 25, 2024.
Diego Lima | AFP | Getty Images
Argentine President Javier Milley met with leaders of some of the world’s largest technology companies this week, kicking off a trip to Silicon Valley that analysts say may be an effort to boost his international profile and showcase the South American country.
This is Argentinian Mire’s seventh trip since taking office at the end of last year. He traveled to San Francisco on Monday night and met with OpenAI CEO Sam Altman and Google CEO Sundar Pichai. Sundar Pichai and apple CEO Tim Cook.
The self-proclaimed “anarcho-capitalist” right-wing leader plans to Yuan Chief Executive Mark Zuckerberg before leaving the United States on Friday. Last month, on a separate trip to the United States, Milley met tech billionaire Elon Musk at a conference. Tesla Electric car factory in Austin, Texas.
Milei shared photos of his encounter on social media platform X this week, often depicting himself giving two thumbs up alongside top tech executives.
Analysts say Mire’s charm offensive may be aimed at positioning Argentina as an attractive investment destination because of the South American country’s growing tech industry and ecosystem and its promise of pro-business reforms.
Nicolas Saldias, senior Latin America analyst at the Economist Intelligence Unit (EIU), via email.
“Getting these minerals out of the ground is critical for the green economy and for tech companies to reliably obtain critical inputs into AI infrastructure. The growth of AI data centers also requires vast amounts of energy and water, which Argentina has. resource.
The Economist Intelligence Unit’s Saldias said U.S. tech companies are unlikely to invest in Argentina unless the ruling government can pass its subject “comprehensive” reform bill (which has been significantly watered down) and fiscal reform bill in Congress.
Reform agenda takes center stage
“The trip itself is valuable because basically you’re trying to position Argentina in terms of materials development and technology investment,” Mariano Machado, chief analyst for the Americas at Verisk Maplecroft, told CNBC by phone. The center of global dialogue.
“We’re not just talking about sourcing, for example, lithium or copper, we’re talking about how these companies decide where to locate their network centers and offices and so on,” Machado said Thursday.
“Nonetheless, it feels a bit like the first step in a conversation that won’t necessarily result in an immediate reaction from companies and investors. Rather, it’s an ‘appropriately noted’ response, such as ‘We see you’re doing your homework. , but we need to see more to make big decisions,” he added.
An aerial view shows members of social movements heading to the presidential palace in Olivos, Buenos Aires province, May 7, 2024, to protest President Javier Milley’s proposed reforms and cuts to the most vulnerable sectors was intercepted by security forces on the way.
Luis Robayo | AFP | Getty Images
Mire has struggled to implement what he calls a “shock therapy” reform agenda, despite previously saying the country had no choice.
In early May, Millay’s government faced its second general strike in less than six months, with workers across the country striking out Angry at proposed austerity measures and a severe economic crisis.
Mire accepted the resignation of Cabinet Chief Nicolas Posé on Monday, as his government struggles to pass its proposed reforms.
“We assume both bills will pass the Senate, but in a diluted form,” said Saldias of the Economist Intelligence Unit. “Even a watered-down version would bolster investor confidence in Argentina and Could lead to major investors opening their wallets.
He added: “If the bill is rejected, investment may not materialize, economic recovery will be slow and the Mire government may stall as its popularity will be a risk.”
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