Argentine wheat exports more than doubled in the first quarter, government data showed, as farmers rushed to sell stockpiles ahead of an expected jump in plantings spurred by the open-market policies of new President Mauricio Macri. The surge in Argentine supply is hitting an oversaturated world market and putting downward pressure on wheat prices already near their lowest levels in six years.
Argentina's economy grew 0.8% on the first quarter of the year compared to the same period last year, Central Bank Governor Federico Sturzenegger said, declaring that since President Mauricio Macri took office employment has remained “stable.”
Argentina's foreign minister Susana Malcorra manifest intention of becoming the first woman Secretary General of the United Nations, which has the support from president Mauricio Macri administration has set out domestic and international speculation.
Former Argentine President Cristina Fernandez was charged on Friday with defrauding the state as part of her government's handling of the dollar futures market. Federal judge Claudio Bonadio said that a scheme to keep the Argentine peso inflated by selling dollars below market value would not have been possible without Fernandez's approval.
The Argentine government publicly showed its support for the new status quo in Brazil, minutes after the country’s vice-president, Michel Temer, temporarily took power after President Dilma Rousseff was suspended from office after the Senate voted to open impeachment proceedings against her early yesterday morning.
Argentina and UK agreed to disagree on the Falklands/Malvinas question, but coincided that the issue should not be an obstacle for the development of a wider positive agenda. Furthermore the two countries agreed on the need to identify possible areas of cooperation in the South Atlantic, such as exploitation of natural resources, and connectivity between the continent and the Islands.
Uruguay's foreign minister Rodolfo Nin Novoa said on Thursday that all agriculture products are included in negotiations for a wide ranging trade and cooperation agreement between Mercosur and the European Union. The chief negotiator for Mercosur underlined that contrary to what was announced by some media, beef and ethanol are included in the proposals exchanged on Wednesday in Brussels between the two blocks.
Britain reiterated interest in strengthening relations with Argentina in areas of mutual interest, but also underlined London's position regarding the Falkland Islands remains unchanged, while from Stanley, the Falklands' elected government expressed its willingness to explore a potential cooperation with the Argentine government.
Argentina's foreign minister Susana Malcorra will be in London this Thursday to attend a global summit on combating corruption, and is expected to meet with her peer Philip Hammond, and probably address the Falklands issue, according to Argentine official sources. Malcorra is accompanied by Fulvio Pompeo, Secretary for Strategic Affairs from Argentina's presidency, and a very close advisor to president Mauricio Macri.
Argentine Federal Judge Sebastian Casanello has sent legal requests to Uruguay, United Kingdom, Ireland, Panama and Brazil, and likewise ordered local financial institutions in the country to provide data on the Macri family accounts as part of an ongoing investigation of the Argentine president overseas assets in so called tax havens, which emerged from the latest release of Panama Papers by the International Consortium of Investigative Journalists.