Argentina and the United States signed an agreement in Washington D.C. to boost the supply and processing of critical minerals, vital for new technologies. Foreign Minister Pablo Quirno and his counterpart Marco Rubio took part in the signing at the Ministerial Meeting on Critical Minerals on February 4, 2026.
The agreement aims to ensure more solid, diversified, and resilient value chains, fostering long-term productive investments and responding to global demand growth. Argentine Foreign Minister Pablo Quirno stated that "Argentina is committed to deepening cooperation with the United States on critical minerals, supporting secure supply chains and promoting a strategic partnership based on clear rules and long-term predictability".
The event took place on Wednesday, February 4, in Washington D.C. Earlier, on February 2, Quirno met with U.S. Deputy Secretary of State Christopher Landau, representatives from sectors like mining, agribusiness, technology, and energy, as well as from the Department of Commerce and the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB). In these meetings, he highlighted Argentina's ordered macroeconomy, predictability, and the Large Investment Incentive Regime (RIGI).
Quirno also met with Gary Nagle, CEO of Glencore, who will invest in two copper projects: MARA in Catamarca and El Pachón in San Juan. Both projects, submitted to the RIGI, would total an investment close to $14 billion, impacting production, exports, and employment.
In context, Argentine mining exports hit a record of $6.037 billion in 2025, with 30% growth. Copper and lithium are key for generating foreign currency. Argentina aims for $100 billion in total exports over seven years, with mining potentially exceeding $20 billion and reaching over $30 billion by the end of the next decade. Meanwhile, the United States seeks to launch a $12 billion strategic reserve of critical minerals to reduce dependence on China.
Critical minerals, such as lithium, cobalt, and rare earths, are strategic for global economy and security, driving technologies and renewable energies.
