Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth hosted Argentina’s Defense Minister Luis Petri at the Pentagon on July 2, marking a significant step in deepening U.S.–Argentina military cooperation. The meeting reflected shared concerns over regional stability and emerging threats from China, signaling a renewed focus on strategic defense partnerships.
Hegseth and Petri stood side by side under their national flags during an official ceremony and honor cordon. Hegseth praised Argentina’s commitment to acquiring U.S. military assets, including F‑16 fighters and Stryker armored vehicles, while warning that China poses a “shared security challenge” to the U.S., Argentina, and the broader hemisphere. Hegseth emphasized that regional peace “demands the utmost will and tenacity, and I think we can face these shared security challenges together.”
Petri echoed the importance of this expanding defense relationship, citing Argentina’s history of cooperation, from supplying U.S. arms during its independence to deploying ships in the Gulf War, as evidence that both nations stand to benefit. He praised the June 21 U.S. strike on Iranian nuclear facilities, calling it a legacy of global deterrence and affirming Argentina’s alignment with U.S. counterterror efforts. “Our relationship is at its best point, and our partnership will continue to grow in all areas of government, but fundamentally in defense,” Petri stated.
This session included the signing of a Letter of Offer and Acceptance, formalizing plans to sell Argentine forces U.S.-made equipment—an essential element of expanding interoperability and strengthening the Western Hemisphere’s defense posture. Both leaders reflected on shared military milestones: the U.S. supplying muskets in 1811, Argentina acquiring rifles in 1879, and Argentine ships joining the Gulf War coalition.
The meeting reflects the Defense Department’s current priority to expand bilateral military partnerships and strengthen U.S. influence in the Western Hemisphere. Hegseth has emphasized direct support for allied governments willing to enhance defense coordination and resist foreign authoritarian influence.
The U.S.–Argentina agreement signals a clear shift toward stronger regional alignment against China. It also establishes a framework for future military cooperation with other Latin American allies pursuing U.S.-made systems and joint strategic planning.
