So looks like there are some tasty treats rising nicely in other Argentinian ovens that may benefit AGY folks:
All of these recent articles are from a Brazilian paper which I've found a good resource; with bonus points is it is not behind a paywall, as well as being published in English. They showcase both how important Argentia is to the clean energy transition, and the competition that is heating up for the lithium from its existing destination partners: China (42%), Japan (31%), South Korea (13%) & US 9% (2022 breakdown).
According to official sources, the fact that the IRA is coming into effect at a time when Argentina doesn’t have a free trade agreement with the US does not mean that the country won’t be able to export anymore. However, it could result in Argentina losing its market share because it would be left out of the huge subsidies network. Because of this, it’s clear that they will look for a way to get Argentina to participate in the IRA. In fact, the US reached a special agreement with Japan on this subject. It will probably do the same soon with the EU, and then with Argentina. What still remains unclear is how this bilateral agreement will come about. At the US Chamber of Commerce (Amcham) annual event, ambassador Marc Stanley showed there is political support for this initiative: “Argentina will continue to be the main lithium exporter for the US, we need to work on the IRA to make it applicable to Argentina”. In turn, the Argentine ambassador in the US Jorge Argüello replied that if “some issues are cleared out”, Argentine lithium exports could multiply by five or even seven. Also, the analysis made on Thursday by both the public and private sectors is that the merger of giant lithium corporations Allkem (Australia) and Livent (US) —which will become one single company worth US$10.6 billion— means that Argentina’s entire current lithium production will be under one single US-based company. “They will not be left out of their own business, so if politics can’t unlock this one, the corporate lobby will,” said a top mining consultant.
Finishing statements are important: The supply of energy resources to the EU will also play a prominent role in the new relationship, with Brussels looking to sign agreements with Latin American countries as envisaged under the EU’s new Critical Raw Materials strategy, document says. That aims to mitigate the risks to supply chains for materials related to sustainable energy that were highlighted by shortages during the pandemic and in the energy crisis following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. Negotiations are most advanced with Chile and Argentina, and a deal could be announced as early as July, according to the European diplomatic sources.
Just as the country is courted by these trade blocs, I'm sure Jerko has also seen plenty of suitors, now perhaps the meeting room is the bakery Let's hope our white dusted treats have a destination and the promise of a larger oven, by the end of the quarter as @88crazyhorse reminded us!
(20min delay)