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3 clusters · 77 sources · 26 days · First seen about 2 months ago · Last updated 24 days ago

Argentina reserve buildup under Milei

Overview

In early August 2026, the Banco Central de la República Argentina (BCRA) continued a streak of dollar purchases, adding US$28 million in a single day and roughly US$266 million to its foreign-exchange reserves. Cumulative purchases since January reached about US$13.7 billion, lifting total reserves to US$49.6 billion—the highest level under President Javier Milei and the strongest since 2019. By the end of the month, the reserve balance crossed the US$50 billion mark, closing at US$50.059 billion, helped by daily dollar purchases, higher gold prices, multilateral inflows, and strong export earnings.

On 5-6 August 2026, the BCRA renewed its bilateral currency-swap line with the People’s Bank of China, extending the agreement from three to five years and keeping it in force until 2031. The facility covers RMB 130 billion (≈US$19-20 billion) with an active tranche of RMB 35 billion (≈US$5 billion) available for import payments without tapping dollar reserves. Governor Santiago Bausili said the longer horizon adds predictability, reinforces the country’s foreign-exchange buffer, and supports financial stability, trade, and investment with China. The swap now represents roughly 40% of the BCRA’s gross reserves.

Economy Minister Luis Caputo presented the larger reserve buffer as a safeguard against volatility and a sign of improved balance-sheet strength, while Milei continues to balance close ties with the United States and deeper economic relations with China. BCRA’s own surveys project inflation near 2% for July 2026, with a modest decline expected in the following months.

Entities

Javier Milei · Banco Central de la República Argentina (BCRA) · Santiago Bausili · Luis Caputo · China

Claims

What the coverage asserts, and how many sources carry each claim.

[● 29 SOURCES] Argentina and China renewed a bilateral currency swap for RMB 130 billion (≈US$19‑20 billion).
[● 29 SOURCES] An activation of RMB 35 billion (≈US$5 billion) started in early 2023 and remains in force.
[● 29 SOURCES] The swap allows Argentina to obtain yuan for import payments without using its own dollar reserves.
[● 29 SOURCES] Santiago Bausili is the governor of the Banco Central de la República Argentina (BCRA).
[● 26 SOURCES] The renewed swap agreement has a five‑year term, extending the previous three‑year period.
[● 26 SOURCES] The renewal will not affect the BCRA's gross reserves.
[● 25 SOURCES] The swap mechanism was first established in 2009 and has been renewed periodically.
[● 25 SOURCES] The renewal is intended to provide greater predictability for the continuity of the swap tool.
[● 11 SOURCES] The swap amount represents about 40 % of the BCRA's gross reserves.
[● 9 SOURCES] The swap helps support Argentina's financial stability and trade/investment with China.

Timeline

24 days ago

[BUSINESS] 10 sources
Central Bank of Argentina accumulates over US$ 14,000 million in 2026
Argentina's Central Bank has accumulated over US$ 14,000 million in dollar purchases in 2026, surpassing its annual target despite a recent slowdown in the pace of absorption.
about 2 months ago

[BUSINESS] 55 sources
Argentina's central bank extends China swap to five years
Argentina’s BCRA renewed its China currency‑swap for RMB 130 bn, extending the term to five years (until 2031) and keeping the RMB 35 bn tranche active, covering about 40 % of reserves that have just passed US$
about 2 months ago

[BUSINESS] 18 sources
Argentina's Central Bank reserves reach 7‑year high amid dollar purchases
Argentina's central bank bought US$28 million in its fifth straight day of purchases, raising reserves to US$49.642 billion – a 7‑year high and the highest since 2019, amid a target of US$10‑17 billion for 2026

Sources

actualidad.rt.com · agendarweb.com.ar · ahorainfo.com.ar · argentinaforestal.com · asiesnuestravida.com.ar · bankmagazine.com.ar · batimes.com.ar · bigbangnews.com · borderperiodismo.com · capital.es · cfin.com.ar · chacodiapordia.com · chinesepress.com · combonoticias.com · diario.mx · diarioelzondasj.com.ar · diarioestrategia.cl · diariopanorama.com · diariotiempo.com.ar · dinero.hn · economis.com.ar · eldia.com.ar · eldiario24.com · eldiariodechihuahua.mx · eleconomista.com.ar · ellitoral.com.ar · elnuevosiglo.com.co · elpaisdiario.com.ar · elpaisdominicano.do · elsolonline.com · enredaccion.com.ar · estacionclaridad.com.ar · estaciondelvalle963.com.ar · expresdiario.com.ar · fmimpacto107.com.ar · gandul.info · inforama.com.ar · internet4things.it · inversion.es · kvarnerski.hr · labrujula24.com · lagacetasalta.com.ar · lajornadaweb.com.ar · laopinion.com.co · lapampadiaxdia.com.ar · lapioneradeclorinda.com · liveblog.wtop.com · lsdi.it

This summary has been updated 9 times: see revision history