The assumption of donald trump as President The United States captured the world’s attention this Monday. Argentina was present through Javier Mileialthough He was not the only national leader who set foot in Washington DC to participate in the beginning of the Republican’s second term.
The other two local officials who were at the ceremony were the governor of San Juan, Marcelo Orregoand the mayor of the Neuquén town of Añelo, Fernando Banderetspecially invited by the incoming management.
Beyond the proper names, the fact It allows us to prefigure what interests will govern part of the link between the country and Trump. On the one hand, San Juan is one of the country’s mining locomotives. Numerous foreign companies operate there.
On the other hand, Añelo stands as a fundamental pillar for Vaca Muerta, since the main clusters that work in the deposit already operate in the district, providing the city with unprecedented growth.
Marcelo Orrego, the only Argentine governor at the inauguration of Donald Trump
Although it comes from a provincialist experience, Orrego closed ranks with the PRO and reached the San Juan governorate in 2023 through the Together for Change (JxC) alliance. after 20 uninterrupted years of Peronist governments. Due to the productive profile of the province, Orrego quickly became a major player for foreign investments, with the Large Investment Incentive Regime (RIGI) promoted by libertarian management as its central axis.
In fact, last October AISA Group brought to Orrego a diversified investment project for US$1,000 million, the main initiative of which is the DCP – Deep Carbonates Project, which would include a grinding system and a flotation plant with capacity for between 3,500 and 4,000 tons per day, among others. In November, in addition, the San Juan Minera expo was held, which was attended by the secretary.
In that framework, The San Juan leader was able to win the medal of being the only Argentine governor invited to the inauguration of the magnate, who will face his second adventure in the Oval Office, after having commanded the destinies of the United States between 2017 and 2021.
According to Nation data, in September 2024 San Juan’s mining exports reached US$90 million, growing 82.9% compared to the same month in 2023. In those nine months of the year, the province’s mining exports totaled US$966 million, an interannual growth of 46 .8% compared to the same period in 2023.
Mining, at the same time, increased its participation in provincial exports, which went from accumulating 61.9% of total sales abroad in September 2023 (when San Juan mining exported US$49 million) to reaching 69. 2% in the same month of 2024. In the first 9 months of 2024, mining represented 78.9% of the province’s total exports.
Although his surroundings did not reveal the agenda of meetings he would hold, Scope He was able to find out that he would be involved in meetings with businessmen and officials. In short, Orrego’s visit will serve to strengthen commercial ties with the United States and promote investments in the district.
Añelo, the “heart of Vaca Muerta”, in Washington
Known as the “heart of Vaca Muerta”, Añelo is the closest town to the strategic Neuquén site. According to the 2022 census, it is the Argentine city that experienced the greatest demographic growth: In just over a decade, it went from having 2,000 inhabitants to more than 11,000. That number, as of today, has risen to around 15 thousand.
Its geographical location makes it the logistics epicenter of the various companies that operate on the site, as well as the home of the thousands of workers who are part of the energy boom. Such characteristics make Añelo a key point not only for Neuquén but also for the Argentine economy.
In this framework, its mayor, Fernando Banderet, plays a fundamental role in the development of the sector. Beyond participating in Donald Trump’s inauguration ceremony, the Patagonian mayor took advantage of the trip to develop his own agenda. Before arriving in Washington, he made a stopover in Houston where he signed a cooperation agreement between the Municipality of Añelo and the Argentine – Texas Chamber of Commerce, which he described as “a transcendental step to continue consolidating our city as a key point of development and opportunities”.
The signed understanding establishes the creation of a cooperation program that will include the implementation of joint programs, events, trade missions and projects of great relevance. In addition, the formulation of shared policies will be promoted to strengthen the ties of exchange and reciprocity between both parties. Banderet specified that “they will advance new cooperation strategies, exploring areas of common interest and opening doors to opportunities for our entrepreneurs, merchants, and citizens.”
“Without a doubt, this is an excellent opportunity to promote economic and social development, and continue with the vision of a city that grows hand in hand with innovation and international collaboration.” the mayor said. At the same time, he thanked “everyone who has made this agreement possible and I reaffirm our commitment to continue working so that Añelo continues to be a prosperous place for everyone. Together, we continue to add opportunities for our people!”
Source: Ambito
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