Overview

• Speaking at Grupo Techint’s “Industrialización, comercio y aranceles” seminar, Robert Lighthizer called China an existential threat and defended U.S. tariffs, arguing China’s 2001 WTO entry was a mistake linked to a $1 trillion U.S. goods deficit.
• He advocated a strategic disassociation from China that would limit technology transfer, require balanced trade, and rebuild supply chains among allied countries, saying Washington seeks partners in the region.
• Techint chief Paolo Rocca warned that tariffs are rudimentary and carry collateral damage, citing nearly 80% year-over-year growth in Chinese imports that he said is disrupting Argentine value chains and deterring investment.
• Lighthizer described the rivalry as a second Cold War and said cooperation with countries like Argentina is vital to keep tensions from sliding into open conflict.
• The seminar gathered business leaders, economists and political figures, highlighting a split as Dani Rodrik argued lost manufacturing jobs are largely irreversible and that future middle-class gains will hinge more on services, while no formal policy change by Argentina was reported.