Input Stories

U.S., Argentina Announce Critical Minerals, Energy “Corridor”

By NAM NewsroomOctober 14, 2026

The U.S. and Argentina have launched an economic initiative “to move critical minerals, energy and other resources” from Argentina to Western markets (CarbonCredits.com).

What’s going on: The Andes-Atlantic Corridor, announced by the State Department during United Nations General Assembly week in New York, “will connect Argentina’s mineral-rich northwest and the Vaca Muerta energy basin [in Patagonia] with Atlantic ports and Western markets.”

  • The Export-Import Bank and the Argentine government also signed the U.S.-Argentina Build the Future Framework, under which the bank will finance up to $7 billion in critical minerals and energy endeavors in Argentina.

Lithium and copper: Argentina is a major lithium producer and has large, untapped copper reserves.

  • The Trump administration has prioritized shoring up domestic and allied supplies of lithium, copper and other critical minerals.

Energy: In addition, the Andes-Atlantic Corridor is intended to improve the infrastructure between the Vaca Muerta shale formation and export markets.

  • “The U.S. and Argentina are also looking at pipelines, power infrastructure and ports as part of the wider strategy.”
  • The EXIM Bank signed a separate term sheet offering up to $6 billion in potential financing for an Argentine liquefied natural gas project.

The NAM at work: The NAM is a leading advocate for robust critical minerals policy, supplying policymakers with a detailed framework of both domestic and international policies. Its policy agenda, “Unearthing Mineral Solutions: A Comprehensive Critical Minerals Agenda for Manufacturers in America,” is helping shape policy discussions in Washington.

  • As the NAM advised in its agenda, the U.S. must leverage collective advantages of international partners through plurilateral initiatives addressing the entire critical minerals life cycle, from R&D to recycling.

The last word: “The Andes-Atlantic Corridor, along with other related initiatives of the administration, has the potential to help diversify and strengthen the critical mineral supply chain through impactful investments in infrastructure and logistics, supporting U.S. manufacturing strength and competitiveness,” said NAM Director of International Policy Rachel Minogue.