US and Argentina Strengthen Critical Minerals Cooperation at Washington Ministerial

High-Level Discussions on Critical Minerals

U.S. Deputy Secretary of State Christopher Landau met with Argentine Minister of Foreign Affairs Pablo Quirno on February 3rd and 4th, 2026, in Washington, D.C., to discuss strengthening bilateral cooperation in critical minerals. The discussions took place on the margins of the inaugural Critical Minerals Ministerial, a significant U.S. initiative aimed at building alliances to counter China's influence over global critical mineral supply chains.

During the meetings, Deputy Secretary Landau underscored the strategic importance of U.S.-Argentina collaboration in this vital sector. He reaffirmed the United States' commitment to deepening economic, investment, and energy ties between the two nations. Landau also commended Argentina's leadership and its shared commitment to promoting international security and stability.

Strategic Importance and Global Supply Chains

The Critical Minerals Ministerial, hosted by U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio, convened representatives from 54 countries and the European Commission, including 43 foreign and other ministers. The event highlighted the global effort to strengthen and diversify critical mineral supply chains, which are essential for manufacturing a wide range of technological products.

Critical minerals are indispensable for the production of items such as:

• Batteries
• Wiring
• Military hardware
• Semiconductors

These materials are crucial for the defense industry and the advancement of artificial intelligence.

Argentina's Role and Investment Landscape

Argentina was a key participant in the ministerial meeting due to its extensive resources of critical minerals. Minister Quirno publicly affirmed Argentina's dedication to enhancing cooperation with the United States on critical minerals, emphasizing the goal of supporting secure supply chains and fostering a strategic partnership founded on clear rules and long-term predictability.

In a significant development, Minister Quirno announced a new investment of US$14 billion by the Anglo-Swiss multinational commodity trading and mining company Glencore. This investment, largely directed towards copper projects like El Pachón and MARA, is being made under Argentina's new RIGI investment regime. U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio further emphasized Argentina's potential, stating that the country 'has the capacity in terms of natural resources… not just for the United States, but for the world,' positioning it as a crucial partner in critical minerals.

Commitment to Bilateral Partnership

The meetings between Deputy Secretary Landau, who assumed his role in 2025, and Minister Quirno, appointed in October 2025, underscore a mutual commitment to a robust bilateral relationship. The discussions in Washington, D.C., are expected to pave the way for increased collaboration, investment, and a more resilient global supply chain for critical minerals, benefiting both the United States and Argentina.