BUENOS AIRES, Argentina (AP) — The Trump administration said Wednesday it would set aside $7 billion for loans to support energy, mining and infrastructure projects in Argentina, its latest move to secure energy and critical minerals closer to home and back the South American country's libertarian president.
The U.S. Export-Import Bank, a federal agency, would make up to $7 billion available through 2027 for projects in Argentina, the State Department said, helping companies in the country obtain loans to buy American equipment and hire U.S. firms to expand the country’s railways, pipelines, ports and power networks.
The deal advances U.S. President Donald Trump’s effort to reduce reliance on China’s mineral processing industry, as well as bolstering his ally President Javier Milei, who is betting on oil, gas and mineral exports to transform Argentina’s economy and ease the chronic dollar shortages that have fueled repeated economic crises.
“Working together, the United States and Argentina seek to continue to build on our robust relationship through increased U.S. investment, close security cooperation and aligned values," the State Department said in a statement.
The relationship has already paid dividends for Milei's Argentina: Last year, Washington backed a $20 billion International Monetary Fund bailout for Argentina and extended a separate $20 billion currency-swap line to stabilize the Argentine peso. The countries also signed a free trade pact earlier this year.
On the sidelines of the U.N. General Assembly in New York, U.S. Deputy Secretary of State Christopher Landau and Argentine Foreign Minister Pablo Quirno said on Wednesday that the agreement aims to connect Argentina’s lithium- and copper-rich northwest and sprawling Vaca Muerta shale fields to the country’s ports, making it easier to ship minerals, oil and gas to the U.S. and other markets.
Inadequate transport and energy infrastructure has long hampered development of Argentina’s remote deposits. The country's history of protectionist trade policies, currency controls and sovereign debt defaults has also discouraged foreign investment.
Milei, a fierce believer in free markets, has moved to open Argentina's economy, scrapping import restrictions and offering tax breaks to attract investors. That has led to a surge in cheap imports, squeezing labor-intensive industries like manufacturing and retail already struggling under Milei's spending cuts and tight monetary policy. Booming oil production and mining exports have become an economic lifeline.
The country has vast deposits of lithium and copper, minerals that are necessary for the global shift toward green energy.
FILE - President Donald Trump, center left, shakes hands with Javier Milei, President of Argentina, during the Annual Meeting of the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland, Thursday, Jan. 22, 2026. (AP Photo/Evan Vucci,File)
ARLINGTON, Texas (AP) — Marcus Semien hit a tiebreaking homer in the eighth inning against his former team and Brett Baty added a pinch-hit grand slam in the ninth as the New York Mets beat the Texas Rangers 7-2 on Wednesday night.
Rookie right-hander Nolan McLean (12-10) allowed two runs and three hits over seven innings for the last-place Mets (73-85), who have won both games in Texas since ex-interim manager Andy Green was given the full-time position Tuesday.
The Rangers (78-80) have lost three consecutive games and trail first-place Houston by a half-game in the AL West, with the Astros playing later in Seattle. They own the head-to-head tiebreaker over Texas if the teams finish with the same record.
Semien, traded by the Rangers to the Mets last November for Brandon Nimmo, launched his 15th homer this season off All-Star closer Jacob Latz (3-4) to give New York a 3-2 lead. Semien’s first homer since Aug. 7 snapped an 0-for-13 slump.
Latz entered with two on and one out in the seventh, the first time he’s appeared before the eighth inning since April 12.
The Mets took a 2-0 lead in the third when Juan Soto followed Francisco Lindor’s two-out single with his 27th home run off starter Cody Bradford. It was Soto’s sixth homer this year against left-handed pitching.
After that, Soto was intentionally walked three times — twice with runners on first and second and a left-hander on the mound.
Texas tied the score at 2 in the fifth after McLean retired the Rangers’ first 12 batters. Nimmo, who spent 10 seasons with the Mets, led off with a sharp single to right field. He advanced to second on Ezequiel Duran’s groundout and scored on Jake Burger’s single. Evan Carter drove in the tying run when he beat out a potential double-play grounder.
New York left the bases loaded in the fifth and seventh after Soto was intentionally walked. He was given another free pass with first base open and two outs in the ninth, but Bo Bichette then walked against Trevor Williams to load the bases before Baty went deep.
Rookie LHP Zac Thornton (5-5, 3.40 ERA) starts the series finale Thursday afternoon as the Mets look for a three-game sweep. RHP Kumar Rocker (5-11, 4.47) pitches for Texas.
See AP’s full MLB coverage here
Texas Rangers' Jake Burger, left, celebrates scoring on an Evan Carter force out grounder during the fifth inning of a baseball game against the New York Mets, Wednesday, Sept. 23, 2026, in Arlington, Texas. (AP Photo/LM Otero)
Texas Rangers left fielder Wyatt Langford jumps to catch a fly out against New York Mets' Francisco Alvarez during the second inning of a baseball game, Wednesday, Sept. 23, 2026, in Arlington, Texas. (AP Photo/LM Otero)
New York Mets' Juan Soto runs the bases after hitting an two homer during the third inning of a baseball game against the Texas Rangers, Wednesday, Sept. 23, 2026, in Arlington, Texas. (AP Photo/LM Otero)
Texas Rangers pitcher Jacob Latz looks on after giving up a home run to New York Mets' Marcus Semien during the eighth inning of a baseball game, Wednesday, Sept. 23, 2026, in Arlington, Texas. (AP Photo/LM Otero)
New York Mets' Marcus Semien (10) is congratulated by third base coach Jacob Latz as Semien runs the bases on a solo home run during the eighth inning of a baseball game against the Texas Rangers, Wednesday, Sept. 23, 2026, in Arlington, Texas. (AP Photo/LM Otero)
