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[SITUATION] · [ACTIVE]

2 clusters · 35 sources · 3 days · First seen 2 days ago · Last updated about 7 hours ago

Categories: BUSINESS

Argentina reserve buildup under Milei

Entities: Banco Central de la República Argentina (BCRA) · Santiago Bausili · China · People's Bank of China (PBoC) · Argentina

Overview

In early August 2026, Argentina’s central bank continued its aggressive dollar‑buying programme, purchasing US$28 million in a single day and adding roughly US$266 million to foreign‑exchange reserves. Cumulative purchases since January totalled about US$13.7 billion, lifting reserves to US$49.6 billion – the highest level under President Javier Milei and the strongest since 2019. The bank’s target for 2026 is US$10‑17 billion.

Two days later, the bank renewed its bilateral currency swap with China’s central bank for 130 billion yuan (about US$19‑20 billion), extending the agreement to 2031. An active tranche of 35 billion yuan remains available to support reserve accumulation, financial stability and trade, despite Milei’s public criticism of ties with Beijing. The swap, first signed in 2009, continues to serve as a key liquidity tool for Argentina’s external financing needs.

Claims

What the coverage asserts, and how well corroborated each claim is across sources.

[● 3 SOURCES] Argentina and China renewed a bilateral currency swap line for RMB 130 billion (≈ US$19‑20 billion). (BCRA press release and news reports)
[● 3 SOURCES] Santiago Bausili is the governor of the Banco Central de la República Argentina (BCRA). (Multiple news reports)
[● 2 SOURCES] The renewed swap agreement has a five‑year term, extending the previous three‑year period. (BCRA statements)
[● 2 SOURCES] An activation of RMB 35 billion (≈ US$5 billion) started in early 2023 remains in force to support Argentina's financial stability and trade. (BCRA statements)
[● 2 SOURCES] The currency swap mechanism was first established in 2009 and has been renewed periodically. (BCRA description of the swap)
[● 2 SOURCES] The swap allows Argentina to obtain yuan for import payments without using its own dollar reserves. (BCRA explanation of swap operation)
[● 2 SOURCES] The renewal is intended to provide greater predictability for the continuity of the swap tool. (BCRA comment)
[○ 1 SOURCE] The swap renewal will not affect the BCRA's gross reserves. (BCRA press release)

Timeline

about 7 hours ago

[BUSINESS] 18 sources
Argentina extends five‑year currency swap with China
Argentina’s central bank renewed a five‑year, US$19‑20 billion swap with China, extending the term to 2031 and keeping a US$5 billion active tranche for reserve support.
2 days 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 · ahorainfo.com.ar · batimes.com.ar · bigbangnews.com · borderperiodismo.com · cfin.com.ar · chacodiapordia.com · diarioelzondasj.com.ar · diarioestrategia.cl · diariotiempo.com.ar · dinero.hn · economis.com.ar · eldia.com.ar · eldiario24.com · eleconomista.com.ar · ellitoral.com.ar · elnuevosiglo.com.co · elpaisdiario.com.ar · elsolonline.com · fmimpacto107.com.ar · inforama.com.ar · inversion.es · laopinion.com.co · mediosrioja.com.ar · mendozatoday.com.ar · noticiasargentinas.com.ar · nxt.kristianstadsbladet.se · perfil.com · periodicolea.com.ar · prensa-latina.cu · riotimesonline.com · tiemposur.com.ar · valoraanalitik.com · vocero.com.mx · ww.fashionnetwork.com