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The US and Argentina launch the Andes-Atlantic corridor with up to USD6bn support

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The United States and Argentina have launched the Andes-Atlantic Corridor, a joint initiative aimed at strengthening and modernising infrastructure connecting Argentina’s critical-mineral-rich northwest and the Vaca Muerta energy basin with Atlantic ports and Western markets through upgraded and new rail, pipeline, port, power and digital infrastructure (US Department of State, 25/09/2026).

The US Export-Import Bank (EXIM) has issued a non-binding indicative term sheet for up to USD6bn in support of Argentina LNG, a proposed USD51bn integrated LNG project in the Vaca Muerta basin: 

  • Argentina LNG is designed to develop the onshore Vaca Muerta shale basin, which holds the world’s second-largest shale gas reserves, and supply international markets with up to 30 Mt/year of LNG through several independent phases.
  • The project is being developed by Argentine energy company YPF in partnership with Italian energy group Eni and Emirati energy company XRG. 
  • The proposed EXIM financing would support the procurement of US goods and services required for infrastructure development and production activities. 

The proposed EXIM support is part of broader US efforts to finance infrastructure projects in Argentina. In August 2026, Argentina launched an estimated USD800m high-voltage transmission concession, backed by a loan guarantee from the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB). According to the Department of State, the project will serve Buenos Aires, which accounts for nearly 60% of national power demand.

In addition, EXIM and the Argentine Government have signed the US-Argentina Build the Future Framework to expand economic cooperation. The framework is intended to provide up to USD7bn in financing by 2027 for projects aimed at increasing infrastructure development and productive capacity. “Cooperation may include the support of critical minerals development and processing of Argentina’s strategic mineral resources through the deployment of US equipment, technologies, mining expertise, and related infrastructure”, said EXIM in a statement.