Tajani Begins Latin American Tour in Buenos Aires to Strengthen Economic Ties

Antonio Tajani arrived in Buenos Aires with a delegation of more than 100 companies, opening an Italian mission aimed at strengthening economic ties across Latin America. The Italian foreign minister will meet Argentine President Javier Milei and Foreign Minister Pablo Quirno before taking the mission to Brazil.

The Buenos Aires meetings will focus on reinforcing the strategic partnership between Italy and Argentina and implementing the Italy-Argentina Action Plan for 2025-2030. The bilateral roadmap is intended to deepen cooperation between the two countries.

A business forum will also seek to expand trade, investment and industrial cooperation between companies in Argentina and Italy. Italy’s delegation includes Confindustria, the country’s main business organization, as well as Education and Merit Minister Giuseppe Valditara. Areas of particular interest include agrifood, pharmaceuticals, energy, sustainable infrastructure, machinery, digital services and new technologies.

The Italian government cited Eurostat data showing that trade in goods between the European Union and the South American bloc reached 21.79 billion euros in May and June 2026, up 19% from the same period in 2025. Trade between Italy and Mercosur countries rose 51% between 2019 and 2025 and reached nearly 8 billion euros in the first half of 2026.

Tajani’s trip is part of Italy’s “growth diplomacy” strategy and reflects the opportunities Rome expects from an EU-Mercosur trade agreement. After Argentina, the minister will travel to Brazil, where the mission will hold meetings with government officials and the Brazilian business sector.