Argentina’s Election Isn’t Just High Stakes for Argentina — But for China, Too

A Massa win would allow the Asian giant to maintain its foothold. A Milei victory, however, would likely slash China’s influence in the country 

Sergio Massa and Javier MileiPhotographer: Tomas Cuesta/Getty Images
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China’s $6.5 billion loan to Argentina last month was a potential lifeline for presidential hopeful Sergio Massa. It was also a big bet on its future in Latin America, a key battleground in its geopolitical competition with the US.

That’s because Argentina’s runoff vote this month has stakes far beyond this hard-fought local election: Massa, from the ruling leftist Peronist coalition that is seeking stronger links with China, against the libertarian outsider Javier Milei, who has referred to the Asian nation as an “assassin.”