Official relations between Germany and Argentina have existed since 1857, when the Treaty of Friendship, Trade and Shipping was signed between the German Customs Union and the Argentine Confederation.

Political and economic relations are supported by a strong network of cultural ties forged to a large extent by the more than two million Argentines with German roots. However, the positive attitude towards Germany extends well beyond this. In Latin America, Argentina is Germany’s fourth most important trading partner after Mexico, Brazil and Chile. Germany mainly imports raw materials and food from Argentina and is the biggest buyer of Argentine beef in the EU. Vehicles and vehicle parts account for an important part of German imports from Argentina. When it comes to German exports to Argentina, industrial products are to the fore. The German Argentine Chamber of Industry and Commerce works with more than 190 German businesses operating in Argentina.

The branches of the Goethe-Institut in Buenos Aires and Córdoba, as well as two branches of the Goethe-Zentrum and eight other cultural societies, are helping to shape German cultural relations policy on the ground. As part of its Schools: Partners for the Future initiative (PASCH), Germany supports a total of 30 schools in the country, at which the teaching of German as a foreign language enjoys particular prominence. In turn, the four German schools abroad in Greater Buenos Aires are among the most highly regarded private schools in the country.

Germany also enjoys an excellent reputation in Argentina as a partner in academia and science. Cooperation in science and technology has a long tradition dating back many years (framework agreement of 31 March 1969). Beacon projects include the German-Argentine Centre for Higher Education, the Max Planck Partner Institute for Biomedical Research and the Argentine German Geodetic Observatory.

Argentina and Germany are strongly committed to the EU Mercosur Trade Agreement, negotiations on which were successfully concluded at the end of 2024. Parts of this Agreement are being provisionally applied since 1 May 2026.