Canada-Argentina relations

Bilateral relations

Canada and Argentina have enjoyed uninterrupted diplomatic relations since 1940. Canada and Argentina enjoy a multifaceted relationship, built on a commitment to multilateralism and share similar perspectives on many global issues, including peacekeeping, nuclear non-proliferation, human rights, the environment, strengthening democracy and combatting terrorism. Canada and Argentina enjoy close relations in areas of common interest, such as human rights within the United Nations and the Organization of American States.

Numerous links exist between Indigenous communities and associations in Canada and Argentina. Indigenous leaders of Argentina have welcomed official delegations from Canada to exchange views and experiences. In 2012, the City of Buenos Aires erected a new totem pole in Canada Plaza to replace the historic totem, which stood in the plaza from 1964 until it was retired in 2008. The totem pole is a tribute to the rich Indigenous heritages of Canada and of Argentina, and serves as a tangible cultural bridge between the countries of the Americas through an Indigenous world view.

The Association for Canadian Studies in Argentina, created in 1990, sustains seven centres across the country. Its members include academic and research experts in an across‑the‑board selection of domains, as well as former Canadian academic fellows, alumni and institutions and individuals who wish to develop projects in connection with Canada.

Canada’s Emerging Leaders in the Americas Program provides short-term scholarship opportunities for students from Latin America and the Caribbean, including Argentina, to study or conduct research in Canada. These academic agreements help foster research collaborations and student exchanges. Since 2009, nearly 250 Argentine students have participated in exchange opportunities for study or research at the college, undergraduate and graduate level.

In Argentina, Canada is represented by the Embassy of Canada to Argentina and Paraguay, in Buenos Aires, and also maintains a Visa Application Centre to facilitate visa applications for residents of Argentina. In Canada, Argentina is represented by the Embassy of the Argentine Republic in Ottawa, and also maintains consulates in Vancouver, Toronto and Montréal.

Trade relations

Bilateral trade between Canada and Argentina was valued at $1.3 billion in 2021, up 42% from 2020. Canadian exports to Argentina were valued at nearly $355.6 million in 2021, up 46.7% from 2020, making Argentina Canada’s 52nd-largest export destination. Top merchandise exports were industrial machinery and parts (31%), metal ores and non-metallic minerals (28%), consumer goods (13%), basic and industrial chemical, plastic and rubber products (8%), and farm, fishing and intermediate food products (7%). Canadian imports from Argentina had a value of $968.2 million in 2021, of which the vast majority were metals (principally gold) due to Canada’s significant presence in the Argentinian mining sector. Other primary imports included consumer goods (18%), and farm products (8%).

The Argentina offices of the Canadian Trade Commissioner Service are responsible for Argentina and Paraguay and based out of Buenos Aires. Export Development Canada serves Argentina from its São Paulo, Brazil, offices and travels to the market on a regular basis.

The Argentine-Canadian Chamber of Commerce has been in operation since 1977, when it was set up to help grow and strengthen ties between its members, providing support to both Canadian and Argentine business communities. Today, the chamber is particularly active, with its membership representing significant two‑way trade and investment interests, supporting jobs, commercial and technology development and economic growth in both countries.

Development

Canada’s development relationship with Argentina has evolved from one of donor and recipient, respectively, to one of development cooperation partners. Although Canada no longer has an active bilateral development program in Argentina, the relationship continues to benefit from modest but targeted assistance, most notably through the Canada Fund for Local Initiatives. Since 2007, Canada has supported projects in Argentina related to climate change and sustainable development, gender and human rights, among others. The Project Browser contains profiles of international development projects funded by the Government of Canada.

As well, the International Development Research Centre supports research in Argentina to promote sustainable and inclusive development. Argentina researchers are focused on issues such as the development and adoption of technological solutions to possible gender biases in health care in several Latin-American contexts, the understanding of the country’s efforts supporting women’s work and health care recovering and preparing for health emergencies, and those towards enhancing women’s participation and career development in science and technology organizations.

Operations

In recent years, Canada and Argentina have jointly engaged in reconstruction and peacekeeping operations in Haiti and have collaborated as part of the Group of Friends of Haiti. Canada and Argentina both supported the UN Mission for Stabilization in Haiti (MINUSTAH). Under that framework, Argentina benefited from Canada’s Military Training and Cooperation Program through which Canada makes military training available to partner countries thus enhancing defence relations between our nations.

Partnerships and organizations

To develop effective responses to today’s most pressing global challenges, Canada and Argentina work closely in multilateral fora, such as:

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Date Modified:: 2022-11-16

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