Argentina's economic and commercial diplomacy with China in the knowledge economy during the Fernández administration (2019-2023)

Abstract

The objective of this paper is to investigate the nexus between economic and commercial diplomacy and the knowledge economy. This article contributes to this literature by analyzing the scope and limitations of the Fernández administration (2019-2023) to enhance Argentina's economic and commercial diplomacy with China, particularly in the knowledge economy. The article argues that during the period analyzed, the State advanced with several measures of economic diplomacy with China, which involved putting pre-existing instruments of cooperation into operation as well as initiating new ones, such as Argentina's accession to the Belt and Road Initiative. In addition, some new commercial diplomacy programs were implemented and several joint initiatives were announced in areas related to the knowledge economy. However, the results achieved have been limited. This is partly due to the lack of an assertive, coordinated and comprehensive Argentine foreign policy strategy towards China, as well as to the divisions within the government coalition and the economic tensions that have affected the national economy. Likewise, except for a handful of state-owned enterprises, the interest of the private sector of the Argentine knowledge economy in linking up with Chinese counterparts has, for the moment, been reduced. These results are based on the analysis of primary information, such as official documents and statements and in-depth interviews with key stakeholders, as well as secondary sources used to contextualize the relationship between Argentina and China. On the basis of the challenges identified, the article concludes with a list of public policy proposals to strengthen Argentina’s economic and commercial diplomacy with China.