RT.com
20 Nov 2023, 17:43 GMT+10
Javier Milei pledged to stay away from China and Brazil, as well as to dollarize the country's economy
Argentina is not planning to become a member of BRICS on January 1, Diana Mondino, senior economic adviser to the country's president-elect, Javier Milei, told Sputnik Brazil on Monday.
The invitation to join BRICS was approved in August and extended to Argentina, Egypt, Ethiopia, Iran, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates. The current alliance consists of Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa.
"I don't know why there is so much interest around BRICS," Mondino said, adding that it's unclear how joining the group would benefit Argentina.
The candidate for Argentine foreign minister also said that the country's government will "analyze" if joining the organization promises advantages.
Milei, who beat Economy Minister Sergio Massa in Sunday's presidential runoff, had previously voiced opposition to joining BRICS. He has also expressed marked reluctance to support economic ties with China and Brazil while planning to work toward economic rapprochement with the US and Israel.
"I'm not going to push for deals with communists because they don't respect the basic parameters of free trade, freedom, and democracy; it's geopolitics," Milei said in August, adding that "some countries are not along those lines."
At the same time, the president-to-be pledged not to interfere with the country's businesses that are dealing with the BRICS countries. He has also vowed to "dollarize" the Argentinian economy.
Joining the BRICS group was viewed as a chance to open up a "new scenario" for Argentina, outgoing President Alberto Fernandez said back in August after accepting the invitation.
The South American nation is currently struggling with the worst economic crisis in decades. Inflation surged 60% over the past year alone. The severely devalued peso forced the country's government to refinance its $46 billion debt to the IMF.
For more stories on economy & finance visit RT's business section
(RT.com)
Get a daily dose of Rio De Janeiro Sun news through our daily email, its complimentary and keeps you fully up to date with world and business news as well.
Publish news of your business, community or sports group, personnel appointments, major event and more by submitting a news release to Rio De Janeiro Sun.
More InformationBuenos Aires [Argentina], July 6 (ANI): After concluding his visit to Argentina on Saturday, Prime Minister Narendra Modi departed...
Buenos Aires [Argentina], July 6 (ANI): Prime Minister Narendra Modi discussed cooperation in the energy and critical minerals sectors...
Buenos Aires [Argentina], July 6 (ANI): Prime Minister Narendra Modi discussed cooperation in the energy and critical minerals sectors...
Buenos Aires [Argentina], July 5 (ANI): After their delegation-level talks, Prime Minister Narendra Modi and President of Argentina...
Astana [Kazakhstan], July 5 (ANI): India's boxing contingent at the World Boxing Cup, Kazakhstan 2025, will be vying for at least eight...
Buenos Aires [Argentina], July 5 (ANI): Delegation-level talks between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Argentine President Javier...
MADRID, Spain: Liverpool footballer Diogo Jota and his younger brother, André Silva, have died in a car accident in Spain. Spanish...
LONDON, U.K.: An unrelenting heatwave sweeping across Europe has pushed early summer temperatures to historic highs, triggering deadly...
President Donald Trump's plans to build a space-based Golden Dome missile defense shield have drawn immediate criticism from China,...
NEW YORK CITY, New York: Paramount has agreed to pay US$16 million to settle a lawsuit brought by U.S. President Donald Trump over...
LONDON, U.K.: British Prime Minister Keir Starmer won a vote in Parliament this week to move ahead with changes to the country's welfare...
WASHINGTON, D.C.: President Donald Trump will meet Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu at the White House on Monday. President...