Kirchner took a pragmatic approach to Argentine foreign policy , and Argentina – United States relations did not continue the special relations of the 1990s . Chancellor Rafael Bielsa called the relationship between the countries " cooperation without cohabitation " in contrast to that of the Menem era , which was known as " carnal relations " . Kirchner opposed the proposed Free Trade Area of the Americas , as it was based on majority rule among all the countries of the Americas , whereas he preferred a proportional representation system that would have given the Mercosur bloc more influence . The 4th Summit of the Americas , hosted in Mar del Plata , ended with violent protests against U.S. President George W. Bush ; negotiations stalled , and the FTAA was not implemented . Kirchner told the United Nations that , although he opposed terrorism , he did not support the War on Terror . He refused to receive U.S. Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld , and sent forces to the United Nations Stabilisation Mission in Haiti
4th Summit of the Americas
4th Summit of the Americas
Néstor Kirchner