ZÁRATE, Argentina — A cargo vessel carrying more than 5,800 electric and hybrid vehicles from Chinese automaker BYD docked Wednesday at a river port in eastern Argentina, marking the country’s first large-scale arrival of Chinese electric vehicles amid sweeping trade liberalization under President Javier Milei.
The ship, BYD Changzhou, unloaded the vehicles at Zárate Port in Buenos Aires province following a 23-day voyage from Singapore. The delivery comes as Milei’s administration accelerates the dismantling of import barriers, sharply diverging from the protectionist policies long associated with Argentina’s Peronist governments and from the tariff-focused rhetoric of U.S. President Donald Trump.
“This milestone reflects a long-term vision in Argentina to invest and steadily expand our dealer network across the entire national territory,” said Stephen Deng, BYD’s country manager in Argentina.
For decades, Argentina maintained one of the region’s most closed economies, shielding domestic industry through high tariffs and strict import controls. Under Milei, a self-described libertarian, the government has moved in the opposite direction, slashing trade barriers, simplifying customs procedures, and stabilizing the peso to make imported goods more accessible.
Official figures show Argentina recorded a 30% increase in imports last year compared with the previous year, fueled in part by a surge in low-cost consumer goods from Asian online retailers. Chinese vehicle manufacturers, previously subject to import levies of up to 35%, are now benefiting from a new policy allowing 50,000 electric and hybrid vehicles into the country tariff-free in 2025, provided they are priced under $16,000.
Claudio Damiano, a transportation professor at the National University of San Martin, described the shipment as symbolically significant. “For decades people in Argentina had this vision that everything here must be manufactured here,” he said. “The boat has a symbolic value as the first step for BYD. Everyone’s wondering how far it will go.”
The arrival of Chinese EVs also drew attention in Europe, where European Union lawmakers on Wednesday voted to delay ratification of a proposed free trade agreement with the Mercosur bloc which includes Argentina that would reduce barriers for European electric vehicle exports.
Chinese imports to Argentina surged more than 57% last year, far outpacing growth in shipments from the United States. Chinese investment has expanded in Argentina’s energy and mining sectors, reinforcing Beijing’s growing economic footprint in the country.
At the World Economic Forum in Davos, Milei defended his deregulation agenda, telling business and political leaders that it would foster a “more dynamically efficient economy.” He branded his strategy “Make Argentina Great Again,” echoing Trump’s political slogan even as the two leaders’ approaches to trade diverge sharply.
Economist Andrés Civetta of consulting firm Abeceb said Chinese automakers are well positioned to benefit from Argentina’s zero-tariff EV quota. “Chinese manufacturers have the technology and the ability to meet the price limits set by the government,” he said. “China has won the race.”
However, concerns have been raised by Western automakers and opposition lawmakers over potential unfair competition. Domestic EV producer Sero Electric warned that Argentina’s aging power grid and limited service infrastructure could struggle to support a rapid influx of electric vehicles.
“Honestly, we’re not worried,” said Sero Electric founder Pablo Naya, noting that the country’s EV market remains underdeveloped. “But if or when Argentine infrastructure and consumer aspirations eventually catch up to China, then that would get complicated for us. We’d have a problem.”
The government has yet to announce additional regulatory safeguards or incentives for local manufacturers as the first wave of Chinese EVs enters the Argentine market.
Si Venus L Peñaflor ay naging editor-in-chief ng Newsworld, isang lokal na pahayagan ng Laguna. Publisher din siya ng Daystar Gazette at Tutubi News Magazine. Siya ay isa ring pintor at doll face designer ng Ninay Dolls, ang unang Manikang Pilipino. Kasali siya sa DesignCrowd sa rank na #305 sa 640,000 graphic designers sa buong daigdig. Kasama din siya sa unang Local TV Broadcast sa Laguna na Beyond Manila. Aktibong kasapi siya ng San Pablo Jaycees Senate bilang isang JCI Senator.
- Venus L Peñaflor
- Venus L Peñaflor
- Venus L Peñaflor
- Venus L Peñaflor
