After meeting with Trump, Argentina’s president had to downplay a White House readout that described China’s economic behavior as "predatory."
A routine White House press statement describing a run-of-the-mill meeting Friday between President Donald Trump and Argentine President Mauricio Macri caused an unexpected diplomatic dust-up when it attacked China’s economic behavior as « predatory. »
The word choice, while common for the Trump administration, set off alarm bells for Argentine officials who are hosting Chinese President Xi Jinping as part of the G-20 leaders summit, where the two countries will sign a trade pact. Argentina has also courted billions in investment from Beijing over the past decade, and is hoping to announce on Sunday the completion of an $8 billion deal to build a nuclear power plant.
Argentine chancellor Jorge Faurie attempted to walk back the White House statement, telling reporters that the tone of the meeting was « extremely cordial. »
« I don’t think there was a reference [to China] in those terms, » said Faurie, according to Argentine daily La Nación.
