In Argentina, the first stop on the journey, a joint declaration on energy policy is said to be adopted. In it, Germany and Argentina mutually agree to exchange and support each other in “their respective energy transition and the development of a green hydrogen economy,” explained Brantner’s ministry. In addition, a new platform for exchange between German and Argentinian company founders is to be set up.
In Chile, the Federal Ministry of Economics wants to conclude a German-Chilean partnership for mining, raw materials and the circular economy with the local mining ministry. As the first concrete initiative in this context, the state copper group Codelco and the German company Aurubis sign a cooperation agreement on cooperation in the field of environmental technology and modernization of copper production.
In Brazil, Germany’s most important trading partner in South America, according to Brantner’s ministry, closer cooperation in “key future fields” such as energy policy and the provision of green hydrogen is to be “explored”.
“In the current geopolitical situation, we have to promote and deepen bilateral relations with partners that are important for the German economy,” explained Brantner. This applies “particularly in the context of geopolitical competition with other countries”.
The Chancellor’s delegation is due to arrive in Argentina’s capital, Buenos Aires, on Saturday. On Sunday Scholz travels to Chile, on Monday and Tuesday Brazil is on the agenda.
The German industry formulated high expectations of the trip. The President of the Federation of German Industries (BDI), Siegfried Russwurm, spoke on Saturday of an “important signal at the right time”. German industry sees “great opportunities for more dynamic economic cooperation” in South America. He sees opportunities “especially in decarbonization and digitization”.
Russwurm called on the Chancellor to campaign for a quick agreement on the free trade agreement between the EU and the South American economic zone Mercosur at his meetings with the heads of government of Argentina and Brazil.
This would allow “85 percent of European export duties to the region and thus several billion euros in taxes for companies to be avoided each year,” explained Russwurm. “An agreement between the EU and Mercosur creates a market of over 717 million people, covering almost 20 percent of the global economy and 31 percent of global goods exports.”
