"In July, Noem signed a statement of intent with Argentinian officials for the visa-waiver agreement. But Noem didn't first tell Secretary of State and National Security Adviser Marco Rubio of the major international decision, Axios first reported. Rubio and White House Chief of Staff Susie Wiles then penned a memo reminding all officials that they needed prior authorization to execute such agreements."
"Zoom in: The U.S. has grown closer to Argentina under that nation's new president, Javier Milei. Noem praised Milei in a press release in which she pledged to try to readmit his country's citizens to the Visa Waiver Program, which allows foreigners to visit the U.S. for 90 days without a visa. As part of the deal, Argentina agreed to stop using Chinese-made computer systems and software for customs-related matters in favor of U.S. vendors, according to a source familiar with the discussions."
"Argentina dispatched a high-level official - Juan Pazo, the head of Argentina's tax and customs agency called ARCA - to attend the signing in Washington. When Pazo and others arrived in Miami en route to D.C., however, DHS told the delegation not to continue its trip because the agreement was "missing a signature," according to the source. The Argentinian officials also were told about the U.S. concerns over the corruption issue."
Kristi Noem signed a statement of intent in July with Argentinian officials for a visa-waiver agreement without first informing Marco Rubio. Rubio and White House Chief of Staff Susie Wiles issued a memo requiring prior authorization for such agreements. The U.S. has grown closer to Argentina under President Javier Milei; Noem pledged to seek Argentina's readmission to the Visa Waiver Program. Argentina agreed to replace Chinese-made customs systems with U.S. vendors. Rubio's State Department raised concerns about a corruption scandal in Milei's administration and wanted further talks. An Argentinian delegation led by Juan Pazo was halted in Miami and returned home without a deal.
Read at Axios
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