WASHINGTON—Representative Eliot L. Engel, Ranking Member of the House Committee on Foreign Affairs and a former Chairman of the Western Hemisphere Subcommittee, today made the following statement on President Barack Obama’s visit to Argentina:
 
“While recent press attention has understandably been focused on President Obama’s historic visit to Cuba, his visit to Argentina is no less important.
 
“Both Argentine President Mauricio Macri and President Obama have made it clear that they value a renewed partnership between our two countries.  I could not agree more.  I have long believed that our two nations should be natural partners.  We both have highly educated populations, diverse economies and vast natural resources.  The United States is Argentina’s third largest trading partner with $15.2 billion in U.S. foreign direct investment in the country in 2013.  With a revitalized economic relationship, this number will likely grow in the coming years.
 
“Just as importantly, President Macri has shown that he is not afraid to speak up when democracy is challenged in the region.  Under his leadership, Argentina stands to play an important role in the Americas in championing human rights, democracy and freedom of expression.  I look forward to supporting greater U.S.-Argentine collaboration at the Organization of American States, the United Nations and other hemispheric and international fora in the years ahead.”
 
Ranking Member Engel and Chairman Ed Royce sent a letter to President Obama on November 23, 2015 urging him to prioritize U.S.-Argentina relations during his last year in office.  It has been almost two decades since the last bilaterally focused visit of a U.S. President to Argentina.

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