Canada/Ambassador/Argentina

Canada/Ambassador/Argentina  (Ambassador/Argentina)
Start	1867

Relations between Argentina and Canada date back to 1867, when the Canadian government carried out its first commercial mission to Argentina and other countries in the region. In 1911, Canada opened its first South American trade office in Buenos Aires. In 1940 both nations formally established diplomatic relations. In 1945, Canada opened its first resident embassy in Buenos Aires.

In November 1961, President Arturo Frondizi became the first Argentine head-of-state to visit Canada. During his visit, President Frondizi met with Prime Minister John Diefenbaker. In 1968, Canadian Foreign Minister Mitchell Sharp paid a visit to Argentina and met with President Juan Carlos Onganía. In 1976, Argentina entered into a Military dictatorship. In 1978, the first Aerolíneas Argentinas flight was made between Buenos Aires and Montreal.

In April 1982, the Falklands War began between Argentina and the United Kingdom. During the war, Canada remained neutral, however, Canada withdrew its Ambassador from Buenos Aires. The decision to remain neutral by Prime Minister Pierre Trudeau was to distance Canadian foreign policy, economics, and military commitments from those of both the United States and the United Kingdom.

In 1994, Argentine President Carlos Menem paid a visit to Canada. In 1995, Prime Minister Jean Chrétien became the first Canadian head-of-government to visit Argentina. In recent years, both nations have jointly engaged in so-called peacekeeping operations in Haiti and have collaborated as part of the Group of Friends of Haiti, as well as through the United Nations Stabilisation Mission in Haiti (MINUSTAH).

In 2013, Canada sent election observers during the Falkland Islands sovereignty referendum. Canada's official position is that the Falkland Islanders should decide their own destiny.

Trade

In 2018, two-way trade between Argentina and Canada totaled US$2 billion. Argentina's main exports to Canada include: gold and other minerals; wine; fruit (apples and citrus); mineral ores and prepared vegetable foodstuffs. Canada's main exports to Argentina include: machinery and parts; aerospace products; pharmaceutical products; and electrical and electronic machinery and equipment. Argentina is Canada's 53rd-largest export destination globally. In March 2018, Mercosur trade bloc ministers (which includes Argentina) agreed to launch formal negotiations toward a comprehensive Canada-Mercosur free trade agreement (FTA). Canadian multinational gold mining company, Barrick Gold, operates in Argentina.

 

An Office Holder on Wikispooks

Name	From	To
Louise Fréchette	1985	1988

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