Washington – A bipartisan delegation of House members met with South American heads of state to develop stronger relations that result in a stronger economy and more jobs here at home – while keeping Communist China at bay. Over the course of the week, the delegation, led by Ways and Means Chairman Jason Smith (MO-08), met with South American leaders, including President Javier Milei of Argentina and President Santiago Peña of Paraguay, as well as representatives of the Ministry of Finance of Chile to discuss how to strengthen ties with these nations for mutual benefit. The delegation also met with business leaders of U.S. based companies to discuss increasing job opportunities for workers in both the U.S. and South America.

“I am especially grateful to President Milei and President Peña for their hospitality and willingness to find ways to work together,” said Chairman Smith. “They acknowledged the importance of the relationship with the United States and were eager to find new opportunities to strengthen it. As China seeks new nations to dominate, the U.S. is committed to maintaining strong economic ties that benefit American workers.”

House members that participated in the delegation were:

• Chairman Jason Smith (MO-08)
• Rep. Mark Alford (MO-04)
• Rep. Ed Case (HI-01)
• Rep. Garrett Graves (LA-06)
• Rep. Dan Kildee (MI-08)
• Rep. Maria Salazar (FL-27)
• Rep. Claudia Tenney (NY-24)

Argentina

In 2023, total goods trade between the U.S. and Argentina was $17.8 billion ($11.4 billion in exports, $6.4 billion in imports; $5 billion U.S. surplus). Top U.S. exports include petroleum, medical products, fertilizers, and machinery. Top Argentine exports to the U.S. include petroleum, metals, wine, and soybeans. President Javier Milei’s meeting with the delegation focused on major economic reforms he is leading in Argentina and the crucial role the United States can play. In particular, vital trade programs like the Generalized System of Preferences are crucial to the relationship between the two nations. Legislation to renew the program and reform it to better counter China and help U.S. agriculture passed out of the Ways and Means Committee earlier this year. Members discussed the need to outcompete China in South America and Argentina’s interest in developing deeper ties with the United States. The delegation also agreed with President Milei on the need to continue mutual support of Israel following Hamas’s October 7^th terrorist attack.

Paraguay

In 2023, total trade between the U.S. and Paraguay was $3 billion ($2.77 billion exports; $260 million imports; $2.5 billion surplus). U.S. exports to Paraguay include machinery, agricultural equipment, mineral fuels, toys, and sporting goods. U.S. imports from Paraguay include sugar, food oils, animal products, and wood products. President Santiago Peña hosted members of the delegation alongside his own ministers of finance and trade. The conversation included a discussion on how to remove barriers to trade and strengthen the relationship, including through improvements in intellectual property enforcement as well as renewing GSP. The conversation also emphasized mutual interest in supporting Taiwan and maintaining strong trade ties in spite of Communist China’s pressure. The Ways and Means Committee has taken action in this space, including enacting into law the United States-Taiwan Initiative on 21st-Century Trade First Agreement Implementation Act and passing the United States-Taiwan Expedited Double-Tax Relief Act out of the House. The bill strengthens America’s economic ties with Taiwan by providing relief from double-taxation on cross-border investment between the United States and Taiwan. 

Members also spoke to embassy staff about their role in the country. Later, the delegation met with representatives of American companies that operate in Paraguay.

Chile

America has had a strong trade relationship with Chile for over 20 years, with U.S. companies, particularly farmers and ranchers, able to sell American products without barriers. The United States – Chile Free Trade Agreement went into force in 2004. In 2023, total goods trade between the U.S. and Chile was $34.4 billion ($18.8 billion in exports, $15.6 billion in imports; $3.2 billion U.S. surplus). Top U.S. exports to Chile include petroleum, excavation and construction machinery, trucks, chemicals, and medical devices. Top Chilean exports to the U.S. include copper, fish, fruits, wood products, lithium, and wine.

The delegation met with the Ministry of Finance to discuss new ways to strengthen ties while countering China’s influence in the country, particularly through high-standard mining and processing of critical minerals and other commodities.