The Trump administration sends two senior officials to Argentina to advance an ambitious infrastructure project

WASHINGTON.- Following Javier Milei's visit to this capital, the government of Donald Trump announced this Friday that two senior State Department officials will travel to Argentina next week to promote the launch of the Andes-Atlantic Corridor, an ambitious infrastructure initiative with American investment sealed between the two administrations last month. Under Secretary of State Christopher Landau and Under Secretary of State for Western Hemisphere Affairs Juan Pablo Segura, the son of Argentines who plays a key role in the Trump administration's relationship with the region, will arrive in Argentina after a prior stop in Asunción, Paraguay. The tour will run from October 19 to 26, though the exact date of their arrival in Buenos Aires was not specified. US Under Secretary of State Christopher Landau at the Argentine consulate in New York. Guillermo Idiart"In Buenos Aires, Landau will meet with senior Argentine government officials and private sector leaders to build on the momentum generated by the launch of the Andes-Atlantic Corridor, a joint US-Argentina initiative signed during the high-level week of the UN General Assembly. They will discuss ways to foster economic growth, increase American investment, and strengthen security cooperation," the State Department, led by Secretary Marco Rubio, said in a statement released this morning."Landau's trip reflects the Trump administration's commitment to a secure and prosperous Western Hemisphere," the statement added. In his second administration, which began in January of last year, Trump has strengthened ties with allied governments in the region through various initiatives, such as the Shield of the Americas, of which Argentina is a part. President Donald Trump at a meeting with leaders of the countries that make up the Shield of the Americas, in New York. Julia Demaree Nikhinson - APOn September 23, the Milei and Trump governments announced the launch of the "Andes-Atlantic Corridor," an initiative that seeks to connect the mining areas of northwestern Argentina and Vaca Muerta with Atlantic ports through investments in railways, pipelines, energy, ports, and digital infrastructure. The agreement includes US financing tools of up to $7 billion by 2027. The announcement was made during the forum on supply chains, energy, and infrastructure at the Argentine consulate in New York. Landau and Foreign Minister Pablo Quirno led the presentation on behalf of both governments, a further demonstration of the strategic alliance between the Milei and Trump administrations. At that time, it had been anticipated that the cooperation would have a next step this month with Landau's trip to Argentina to meet with public and private sector representatives and advance projects related to the corridor. Foreign Minister Pablo Quirno and US Under Secretary of State Christopher Landau at the Argentine consulate in New York. Guillermo IdiartLast Wednesday, in Washington, Quirno met with Segura, with whom he reviewed the bilateral agenda across various areas, such as the financing agreement with Washington for infrastructure investments, LA NACION learned. The American official had also been present at the presentation of the agreement in New York. For Washington, the initiative "deepens economic integration between the United States and Argentina" and connects investors with opportunities in the country's energy, mining, infrastructure, and technology sectors, according to the State Department. In addition, it aims to connect Argentina's productive matrix with Western markets through American investment. The US government presented it as the first partnership for a global infrastructure and investment corridor in the Western Hemisphere, joining those of other regions. The goal is to expand opportunities for American companies and strengthen supply chains for critical minerals and energy, including lithium, copper, oil, and gas, of which Argentina has abundant resources. The most concrete development appears in the energy chapter: the Export-Import Bank of the United States (EXIM Bank) presented the Argentina LNG liquefied natural gas project, led by YPF, with a long-term financing proposal of up to $6 billion. The funds would be used to purchase American goods and services to develop the infrastructure and production. The loan has not yet been approved: the proposal is indicative and non-binding, and its eventual granting requires final approval from EXIM's board of directors. YPF is developing the project together with Italy's Eni and XRG, from the United Arab Emirates. The first phase envisions two floating liquefaction units off Río Negro, with a combined capacity of 12 million tons of LNG per year and operations projected to begin in 2031. The visit by Landau and Segura will take place ahead of the trip by US Vice President JD Vance to Buenos Aires in November, an official visit. Details of the exact date of his arrival and the agenda in the country for the White House's number two remain to be announced. By Guillermo Idiart