Milei Courts Trump as Argentina Seeks Economic Lifeline from U.S.

 

By Emmaculate Cheruto 

Argentine President Javier Milei arrived in Washington on Tuesday for his first official White House meeting with U.S. President Donald Trump, signaling a deepening alliance between the two right-wing leaders as Argentina struggles to contain a mounting economic crisis.

Milei, a self-described libertarian and staunch anti-leftist, has lavished praise on Trump in recent days, calling him a “dear friend” and an “example of leadership” on social media. “Your commitment to life, freedom, and peace has restored hope to the world,” Milei wrote, congratulating Trump on brokering a ceasefire in Gaza. “It is an honor to consider you not only an ally in the defense of those values, but also a dear friend.”

The meeting, which marks a key moment in Milei’s foreign policy strategy, comes as Argentina faces shrinking foreign currency reserves, rising unemployment, and political setbacks ahead of crucial midterm elections later this month.

According to officials familiar with the agenda, Milei is expected to pursue two primary objectives in his talks with the Trump administration: negotiating tariff exemptions or reductions for Argentine exports, and securing U.S. support for a proposed $20 billion currency swap line to stabilize the peso and replenish depleted reserves.

While Milei has made dramatic cuts to government spending in a bid to curb Argentina’s chronic inflation and debt problems, the measures have triggered social unrest and stoked anger among voters, particularly in Buenos Aires province. The libertarian coalition suffered a stinging defeat in recent regional elections, exposing growing dissatisfaction with Milei’s austere economic policies and deepening political challenges in the opposition-controlled Congress.

Despite these domestic hurdles, Milei’s alignment with Trump has won him fans among U.S. conservatives, who see in him a bold reformer fighting against what he calls the “woke left.” The Argentine leader has echoed Trump’s populist rhetoric and sought to position Argentina as a key ally in Washington’s hemispheric strategy.

Analysts say Milei is banking on a strong personal rapport with Trump to unlock economic support ahead of the midterms, where control of Congress — and the future of his economic reform agenda — hangs in the balance.

“Argentina is at a tipping point,” said María Eugenia Salazar, a political economist at the University of Buenos Aires. “Milei needs a win abroad to offset his losses at home. A successful deal in Washington could help him restore market confidence and regain political momentum.”

As Milei prepares to meet Trump behind closed doors, all eyes in Argentina will be watching for signs of a breakthrough that could alter the country’s economic trajectory — or leave it further exposed to the forces of political and financial instability.