Davos, January 23 (RHC-teleSUR), -- Argentine President Mauricio Macri said Friday that he wants a “pragmatic and intelligent” relationship with Washington, solidifying his foreign policy break from 12 years of Kirchnerist governments that fought to push back against U.S. imperialism in Latin America by building regional integration.  

Macri announced developments in Argentina-U.S. relations at the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland, one day after meeting with U.S. Vice President Joe Biden and other global elite. 

“We’re prepared to build a pragmatic, intelligent, and productive relationship between our countries,” said Macri, citing his meeting with Biden. “We are prepared to work together against climate change, narco-trafficking, terrorism, and corruption.”

The statements come after bilateral ties between the U.S. and Argentina have been frigid in recent years under the government of former President Cristina Fernandez, who took a firm stand against international creditors and slammed intimidation tactics of global capitalist powers. 

Macri has held a host of meetings in Davos, looking to build relations with politicians and corporate leaders at the annual gathering of global economic elite, though many of his new connections have questionable track records. 

Aside from Biden, Macri has also met with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, British Prime Minister David Cameron, Mexican President Enrique Peña Nieto, Coca-Cola President and CEO Muhtar Kent, Shell Group CEO Ben Van Beurden, and more.