News of policy

US ELECTION 2020

Global pressure points: US foreign policy hinges on election outcome

22-10-2020 01:15 From Iran to Cuba, from China to Israel, US involvement and influence on the international stage has evolved sharply since Donald Trump took office in 2017.

Bloomberg

Argentina is slowly shifting its monetary policy instrument

21-10-2020 18:27 Argentina is changing its monetary policy, Bloomberg reports, uniting two different benchmark rates of interest in a bid to reduce the cost of eliminating excess peso liquidity on the market.

Financial turmoil

Fernández: Currency market is messy, it needs order

11-10-2020 17:22 In the wide-ranging interview with El Cohete a la Luna, president says Argentina's currency market is messy and must be “ordered.”

BLOOMBERG

Argentina’s currency woes show no sign of easing

10-10-2020 08:31 Argentina’s hodge podge exchange rate regime is running out of steam.

monetary policy

Central Bank moves to unify interest rates

09-10-2020 11:27 Central Bank is taking steps to tighten its monetary policy and encourage banks to buy local peso assets.

Bloomberg

Government to devalue peso faster while it fights reserves drop

01-10-2020 23:09 The Central Bank will end a policy of “uniform devaluation” and allow greater volatility, according to a statement sent by the institution led by Miguel Pesce after hours Thursday.

BLOOMBERG

Offshore millionaires become target of wealth tax bill

17-09-2020 19:34 Government plans to broaden bill imposing taxes on the rich in order to reach non-residents and their investments in Argentine companies, according to lawmaker Carlos Heller.

CURRENCY CONTROLS

Central Bank tightens currency controls as peso weakens

16-09-2020 10:29 Central Bank tightens conditions for the purchase of foreign currency, to prevent hoarding, preserve reserves and discourage demand for US dollars.

ECONOMIC POLICY

Central Bank optimistic over post-bond swap future

25-08-2020 19:20 Central Bank Governor Miguel Ángel Pesce says closure of the debt swap deal would relieve pressures on exchange markets and improve economic expectations.

INTERVIEW

John Mearsheimer: ‘A war between the United States and China in 2021 is possible’

01-08-2020 08:58 US political scientist and international relations scholar with the University of Chicago, one of the first to sound the alarm about the rise of Beijing, warns the Sino-American rivalry could reach Latin America.

by Leandro Dario

INTERVIEW

Robert Jervis: 'There’s a danger of an arms race between the United States and China'

25-07-2020 08:27 Professor of International Relations at Columbia University says Donald Trump’s approach foreign policy reflects his ego and says if Joe Biden wins the election, Democrat would seek to improve Washington’s relationship with Argentina.

by Leandro Dario

BLOOMBERG

Argentina would ease currency controls if debt talks are successful

29-05-2020 14:56 Central Bank leaders implemented new controls Thursday night, restricting companies’ access to the foreign exchange market to pay for obligations overseas in dollars or other currencies.

MINISTRY POSITIONS

Social policy collides with scandal

11-04-2020 10:42 Born in the Greater Buenos Aires district of Morón, Social Development Minister Daniel Fernando Arroyo has made social policy his exclusive focus since starting his university studies (UBA) more than three decades ago.

by Michael Soltys

MIGUEL ÁNGEL PESCE INTERVIEW

Miguel Pesce: ‘In this emergency, the mechanism is printing money’

11-04-2020 10:07 Central Bank chief Miguel Ángel Pesce on the economy, printing money, the coronavirus pandemic and the problems that lie ahead.

by Jorge Fontevecchia

Venezuela drama

How will US bounty affect Maduro's hold on Venezuelan power?

29-03-2020 18:41 The accusation of "narco-terrorism" by the US put pressure on Maduro’s regime, but its consequence is uncertain: it will achieve either to support the opposition or an end to the South American country's long-running economic and political crises.

Bloomberg

OAS set for showdown over Trump’s Venezuela policy

20-03-2020 18:28 Luis Almagro's re-election to the head of the Organisation of AmericanStates has effectively turned into a test of the popularity of Donald Trump’s hard-line policy against Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro.

Bloomberg

Central Bank to pause run of rate cuts

12-03-2020 22:33 Central Bank plans to keep its policy rate unchanged, as it weighs the impact of sell-off on world markets.

RATE CUT

Central Bank cuts interest rate to 38%

06-03-2020 08:00 In its statement, the Central Bank’s committee said cooling prices justified the rate cut but that the economy wasn’t in the clear yet.

RATE CUT

Central Bank lowers key rate to 40%, extending cuts

19-02-2020 18:15 Central Bank chief Miguel Pesce justifies the rate cuts as a tool to help turn around Argentina’s economy, which is expected to contract for the third straight year in 2020.

RATE CUT

Central Bank cuts key interest rate for fifth time since December 10

30-01-2020 21:29 Rate floor cut to 48 percent on Thursday from 50 percent. Central bank chief Miguel Pesce has lowered it from 63 percent since taking office December 10.

First Foreign Trip

Symbolic and strategic: Fernández picks Israel for first foreign trip

17-01-2020 00:12 President’s decision to visit Jerusalem next week welcomed by Jewish community in Buenos Aires.

by Joseph Charney

MIGUEL PESCE INTERVIEW

Miguel Pesce: Central Bank will try to cut rates, slow inflation

09-01-2020 12:46 New Central Bank chief refuses to make inflation forecasts, saying he wants to rebuild the institution’s credibility “with results.”

PEW RESEARCH CENTER

Just 22% of Argentines believe Trump will do right thing on foreign policy

08-01-2020 17:16 New survey indicates pessimism over Trump’s leadership is particularly strong in Argentina, with 69% saying they had no confidence the US president would do the right thing in terms of foreign policy.

Bloomberg

Fernández administration walks a fine line on Venezuela crisis

07-01-2020 08:13 Complications from crisis in Venezuela highlight president's delicate balancing act over an issue that is splitting Latin America’s political allegiances.

KILLING OF QASSEM SOLEIMANI

Trump rattles Middle East, US politics with risky Iran strike

03-01-2020 14:32 As reports filtered out from Iraq that Qassem Soleimani had been killed in a US airstrike, some administration officials quietly acknowledged US involvement. Then, a tweet from the president: an image of the American flag, absent any commentary.

TRANSITION 2019

Sandleris confirms resignation as Central Bank chief

05-12-2019 06:58 Central Bank chief confirms he will resign post ahead of December 10 handover. Argentina's monetary institution has had 61 presidents in the 84 years since its founding.

NEW IAEA CHIEF

Rafael Grossi presses Iran about undeclared site, defends inspectors

04-12-2019 11:00 On his first day as director-general of the UN's nuclear watchdog agency, Argentine diplomat prompts Iran to break their silence regarding the particles of uranium found in an undeclared Tehran site.

BLOOMBERG

Argentina running dangerously low on dollars to pay back debt

12-11-2019 17:18 Argentina must repay US$5 billion by the end of 2019. It doesn’t have much to work with.

BLOOMBERG

Argentina’s new foreign policy: Who's advising Alberto Fernández

11-11-2019 14:47 Meet the three key players influencing the president-elect’s foreign policy.

LATAM

Grupo de Puebla summit highlights Argentina’s new direction under Fernández

09-11-2019 08:49 Argentina’s new political direction under president-elect Alberto Fernández was on display on Buenos Aires on Friday, as progressive leaders from across Latin America gathered for a Grupo de Puebla summit.

ECONOMIC INDICATORS

Central Bank alters 2019 forecasts: 3% drop in GDP, inflation at 55.6%

05-11-2019 14:15 Monthly survey carried out by Central Bank downgrades forecasts for Argentina's economy.

PRESIDENT-ELECT IN MEXICO

Fernández, López Obrador talk up trade ties and regional cooperation

05-11-2019 11:28 Leaders of Argentina and Mexico say they see the world in a similar way, with president-elect saying the two are seeking to restore "the equilibrium and social equality lost in Latin America" in recent years.

IN MEXICO CITY

Alberto Fernández meets with Mexican President López Obrador

04-11-2019 11:31 Argentina's president-elect makes first visit overseas since winning election, visits Mexico's president to discuss bilateral relations, investment and the situation in Venezuela.

FOREIGN POLICY

Alberto Fernández: What can we can expect on foreign policy

04-11-2019 09:40 President-elect – who visits Mexico this week – is preparing his foreign policy approach. But will it echo that of Kirchnerismo, or forge a distinct new path?

CURRENCY CONTROLS

Central Bank tightens 'cepo,' sets US$50 limit on cash advances abroad

31-10-2019 22:10 The move comes three days after the Central Bank sharply tightened currency exchange controls to stem a surge in capital flight.

BLOOMBERG - OPINION

Could dollarisation be Argentina's salvation?

30-10-2019 14:50 To a growing number of respected economists, the only path to a fresh start for Argentina involves embracing the US dollar.

by Mac Margolis

ALBERTO PRESIDENTE

Fernández to shift stances on Latin America, US, Venezuela, Brazil, China

29-10-2019 13:28 Fernández has signalled that Argentina will return to its alignment with the left-wing governments of Latin America. That could see closer ties with Mexico and Venezuela, and greater tensions with Brazil, the region’s biggest economy.

FOREIGN AFFAIRS

Arrival of Fernández set to deepen fragmentation in Latin America

29-10-2019 07:27 Peronist victory in Argentina's presidential election is set to cement a rift between region's largest nations, and suggests turbulence could extend for years.

Election 2019

Latin American leaders congratulate Fernández on victory – except Bolsonaro

28-10-2019 10:20 Fellow leftists regional leaders rally behind Alberto Fernandez, but Brazilian leader Jair Bolsonaro says he doesn't intend to congratulate Frente de Todos leader.

Bloomberg

Alberto Fernández picks Mexico for first trip abroad as president-elect

28-10-2019 09:37 Scheduled for next week, the trip marks a clear departure from the foreign policy approach of the last four years and a move towards aligning his administration with like-minded leftists in Latin America.

FOREIGN POLICY

Fernández keeps foreign policy cards close to his chest

26-10-2019 11:24 Frente de Todos frontrunner has given very little away about his views on foreign relations during campaigning, but look hard enough and hints are there. So how will his approach differ to Mauricio Macri’s strategy?

by Federico Poore

ELECTION 2019

Fernández tells Argentines he will protect their savings and dollar deposits

23-10-2019 13:53 Presidential frontrunner asks markets and Argentina to "be calm," promising not to raid personal savings should financial turbulence hit country post-election.

CENTRAL BANK

Sandleris asks for 'basic consensus' to ensure Argentina grows

16-10-2019 08:29 "If we manage to build basic consensus, our economy can leave behind instability and crisis, so that we can begin to grow steadily and begin to lower inflation," declares Central Bank chief.

BLOOMBERG

Alberto Fernández aiming for higher tax take from wealthy individuals

30-09-2019 07:00 “Companies pay taxes, not individual persons. They do not pay for their wealth. And that must be changed,” Fernández said. “So what we have to do is focus on those taxpayers and ask them to help."

ELECTION 2019

Alberto Fernández heads to Bolivia, Peru to meet leaders

19-09-2019 19:37 Frente de Todos frontrunner will meet with presidents Evo Morales and Martín Vizcarra for talks during two-day trip.

BLOOMBERG

Central Bank raises rate floor to 78% as prices soar

18-09-2019 21:27 The rate floor will lower to 68% for all of October, while Central Bank officials project that Argentina’s monetary base will grow at a monthly rate of 2.5% in September and October.

BLOOMBERG

With controls in place, Central Bank cuts 85% rate, buys dollars

18-09-2019 14:08 Institution's move to choke off dollars hands peso some breathing room, with Central Bank buying dollars for first time in seven months.

DIPLOMACY

Alberto Fernández renews contact with key foreign embassiess

17-09-2019 17:30 Frente de Todos presidential frontrunner and his team of advisers look to renew contact with key foreign embassies and diplomats, including the United States, the United Kingdom and members of the European Union.

by Aurelio Tomás

ECONOMIC POLICY

Argentina must drive demand to boost economy, says Alberto Fernández

09-09-2019 07:30 Frente de Todos leader says businesses who risk capital need their investments to pay off because that creates jobs. But those investments won’t happen if there is poverty, he explains in an interview.