Argentine President Javier Milei will meet with Emmanuel Macron for the second time since taking office, ahead of the G20 summit in Rio de Janeiro.

This time, the bilateral meeting takes place in Buenos Aires, highlighting the importance of maintaining strong ties between Argentina and France, despite differences in political style and government priorities. 

Their first encounter occurred on July 26 in Paris, when Milei visited France for the Olympic Games opening ceremony. During that visit, the leaders discussed key topics such as supporting Argentina at the International Monetary Fund, its accession to the OECD, and strengthening their relationship as a global NATO partner. 

Since then, relations between Milei and Macron have continued to develop, reflecting a pragmatic approach to international diplomacy. Political consultant Tobías Belgrano notes that France has historically maintained close ties with Argentine leaders, combining geopolitical strategy with national economic interests. 

“France, particularly from the Macri administration to Milei’s government, has consistently supported Argentina, especially in EU trade agreements, protecting French farmers from Argentine competition,” Belgrano explained. Meanwhile, Argentina seeks France’s backing in IMF negotiations, creating mutual benefits. 

Macron and Milei: despite their differences

Despite clear ideological differences, pragmatism brings Macron and Milei together on key issues. Analysts point to two central topics for the Buenos Aires meeting: trade and climate. The EU-Mercosur trade deal remains a priority, with France looking to protect its agricultural interests while Argentina pushes for greater access to European markets. 

Environmental policy is also in focus. Macron has historically prioritized climate protection, while Milei has repeatedly denied climate change. For productive dialogue, Milei is expected to at least engage with France’s climate agenda, even though Argentina recently withdrew from COP29 in Azerbaijan. 

The meeting offers opportunities for both sides. Macron could secure Argentina’s cooperation on trade and investments, while Milei could gain France’s explicit support on debt renegotiations and IMF matters. Overall, the discussions aim to balance political differences with economic and diplomatic interests, reinforcing the complex but strategic relationship between Argentina and France.