Potential changes in Argentina for Chinese lithium investors amid economic and political stances from the president-elect Javier Milei

Javier Milei was elected as Argentina’s next President on November 19. He was known for his radical and eye-catching libertarian stances such as dollarization, resource privatization, and elimination of the central bank, many of which could change the dynamics in Argentina’s lithium industry.

Ganfeng, Zijin, and other Chinese miners have been investing in local projects and valuing Argentina as a strategic reserve of lithium. According to SMM, 1,608 mt of lithium carbonate were imported from Argentina to China in October, accounting for 14.94% of the total. From January to October, the imports totaled 14,400 mt, up 41.55% YoY.

The dollarization strategy could theoretically enhance cost predictability and investment stability for investors in such countries with high inflation. It is the broader political and economic nudges of Milei’s policies and his stance with China that Chinese lithium players in Argentina need to think about, given that the provinces have the original dominion over the natural resources existing in their territory, according to the Constitution of the Argentine Nation.