The Argentine Minister of Economy, Luis Caputo, met with the U.S. Treasury Secretary, Scott Bessent, as part of the negotiations with the International Monetary Fund (IMF). This meeting comes at a crucial moment, as a new program that includes fresh funds for Argentina is expected to be finalized.
During the meeting, the discussions centered on the Argentine administration's reform efforts to reduce inflation, boost private sector-led growth, decrease poverty, and raise real wages. Bessent praised the macroeconomic and structural measures implemented by Argentina to ease the regulatory burden on the private sector.
Despite the progress reported by the IMF managing director, Kristalina Georgieva, after her meeting with the Argentine president, some sectors were expecting a clearer signal regarding the progress in negotiations for the new program with the international financial organization.
The chief of cabinet of Argentina mentioned that negotiations with the IMF remain focused on avoiding further appreciation of the Argentine peso. Despite the good rapport with the previous administration in the United States, the important role of this country as the main shareholder in the negotiations with the IMF is highlighted.
The Argentine president, Javier Milei, also had a meeting with Georgieva to discuss Argentina's stabilization and growth plan, which has shown positive results according to the IMF managing director. Although the progress in talks is acknowledged, a more concrete confirmation of a new program with the IMF that includes the necessary support for the Argentine economy is still awaited.
