Milei asked Trump for support to "save Argentina from populism."
Trump conditioned economic aid on Milei's victory in the upcoming legislative elections.
247 - The President of Argentina, Javier Milei, praised on his social networks the official meeting with the President of the United States, Donald Trump, held this Tuesday (14) at the White House.
“Thank you very much, President Trump, for receiving me at the White House. Since before becoming president, I have been advocating that the Republic of Argentina should be a strategic ally of the United States of America, and now that the Argentine people have entrusted me with guiding the destiny of our homeland, fulfilling this promise is another step in the direction we began on December 10, 2023: Making Argentina Great Again (MAGA),” wrote Milei.
Conditional support from the US
In the message, Milei stated that American support is crucial to maintaining the ongoing reform program. “The support that you and your great country have given us is vitally important for the continuation of the long path of reforms we have undertaken. Argentinians know that the world's leading power will continue to support us, unless we return to embracing populism.”
The Argentine president also warned about the risks of abandoning his liberal agenda. "The situation is crystal clear: if the country deviates from the path of freedom and returns to populism, the United States will cease supporting our nation. Otherwise, they will continue to support us."
Milei also expressed confidence in Argentina's economic and social recovery. "But I trust that this time the effort will be worthwhile, that Argentinians will not return to the past and that we will once again be a world power, where inflation, insecurity, and poverty are just a bad memory. Long live freedom, damn it!"
Crisis and the search for external credit.
The visit comes amid Argentina's economic collapse, which is dependent on external financing. US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent has pledged up to $20 billion in support, including the purchase of debt securities and resources from the Exchange Rate Stabilization Fund.
The package, however, comes with demands. Trump conditioned the aid on Milei's victory in the upcoming legislative elections: "If Milei doesn't win, we won't be generous with Argentina," declared the US president.
