Argentine President Javier Milei Met with Tesla CEO Elon Musk at Giga Texas
On Friday, Argentine President Javier Milei and Tesla CEO Elon Musk met at a Tesla factory in Austin, Texas. This historic meeting could potentially lead to Tesla investing in Argentina.
Elon Musk posted a photo on his platform X, formerly known as Twitter, showing him and President Milei giving a thumbs up. The caption under the photo stated: “To an exciting and inspiring future!”
“LONG LIVE FREEDOM” – Javier Milei
A spokesperson for the president stated that Milei and Musk “agreed on the need to free markets and defend the ideas of freedom,” emphasizing the importance of removing bureaucratic barriers to business.
Additionally, the spokesperson mentioned that President Milei expressed his support for Musk in his ongoing legal issues in Brazil. Musk faces scrutiny after accusing a Brazilian Supreme Court judge of censoring social media, referring to the judge as a “dictator” and stating his refusal to comply with orders to block users for disseminating disinformation.
Javier Milei driving the Cybertruck
Argentina’s substantial lithium reserves, essential for manufacturing rechargeable batteries such as those used in Tesla’s electric vehicles (EVs), were also on the agenda during the meeting between Musk and Milei. Gerardo Werthein, the incoming Argentine ambassador to the US, pointed out that their discussions included a focus on lithium.
“We talked about the investment opportunities in Argentina in lithium… We’re very committed not only to exporting raw materials but also to adding value… “[Musk] said he wants to help Argentina” – Werthein said in comments published by Argentine newspaper La Nacion
Thoughts
The meeting between Argentine President Javier Milei and Tesla CEO Elon Musk could have significant implications for Argentina’s economy in the near future. A potential Tesla investment would boost economic growth, particularly through developing the country’s lithium resources and moving from raw exports to a more robust processing industry. This could position Argentina prominently in the global EV supply chain. This meeting between two highly influential individuals significantly boosts the chances of this happening.
Their agreement on market liberalization and reducing bureaucratic barriers suggests broader economic reforms that could attract foreign investment and foster innovation. Additionally, President Milei’s support for Musk in his legal challenges underscores Argentina’s commitment to free speech and market freedom.
It was a very interesting meeting of two people who admire each other. We don’t know if Tesla will build anything in Argentina, but at least there could be a lithium deal. Who knows, maybe it will lead to something else…