Overview
- U.S. Ambassador Peter Lamelas told the AmCham Energy Forum that Chinese rules force firms to give state access to data and that using Chinese technology could deter investors in Vaca Muerta, comments that escalated the dispute on Thursday.
- Messages and a letter from U.S. embassy staff, including economic attaché Andrew Dilts, urged Neuquén cooperative CALF to pause a Huawei deal and warned of visa restrictions for executives, a move CALF described as pressure and later complained to Argentina’s foreign ministry.
- Huawei issued a formal denial of espionage claims, saying it is a private company that follows local laws and independent audits, while the Chinese Embassy called the U.S. statements “calumny” and accused Washington of a Cold War mentality.
- The row has become a domestic political issue: CALF met with embassy officials at Palacio Bosch, the opposition in the Chamber of Deputies formally summoned Ambassador Lamelas to testify on August 19, and his attendance has not been confirmed.
- Argentina’s long ties with China — including a Chinese space station in Neuquén and a renewed currency swap — plus Washington’s suggestion that financing could be conditional leave the government with a hard choice that could shape investment, sovereignty debates and local services.