It was February when Javier Milei traveled to Washington to attend the Conservative Political Action Conference (CPAC) as a South American eccentricity. When you see it Donald Trump He pounced like a fan. “President!“he shouted in school English. The tycoon returned the attention. “He’s a great gentleman. He is one of the few who can make Argentina great again.” The scene is assessed by the capitalist anarcho as more than a moment of political identification: an anticipatory fantasy. The far-right government believes that the Republican candidate will win the elections in the United States and that the February greeting, shouting “President!”, will not become just a self-fulfilling prophecybut she will have her reward for Milei: the TV presenter is convinced that with Trump’s return to the White House she will become Washington’s main regional interlocutor.
In 10 months of Milei’s administration he cultivated his relations with Israel and Trumpism with obsessive care. To tune into what, according to him, will be a new era, he has just fired his Foreign Minister, Diana Mondino, for having added Argentina to the vote of 187 countries that once again condemned the trade embargo at the UN American against Cuba. The dismissal, with arguments dating back to the hottest days of the Cold War, gave way to a bolder measure: the start of a real witch hunt in the diplomatic service to eliminate imaginary communists. The ideological paranoia, which caused amazement in Buenos Aires, is intended only as the first gesture of alignment with the probable winner of the North American elections.
Milei, who in all these months has also tried to cultivate a bond with Elon Musk, who plays an important role in the North American electoral campaign, believes that a possible Trump victory would put him in an unbeatable situation because he could counteract the Brazilian’s influence in Latin America. Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva and the Mexican Claudia Sheinbaum. During the Venezuelan crisis resulting from the controversial re-election of Nicolás Maduro, Argentina staged the first dress rehearsal of this role that it wants to play with the republicans in power, expressing the most extreme positions of comparison with the Palace of Miraflores.
Money problems
Trump’s arrival, the Argentine far right believes, will place this country and its leadership on a different international stage. Dream and reality are confused in one point that matters: the government of La Libertad Avanza expects the Republican to favor as a bargaining chip for exaggerated loyalty. better relationships with the International Monetary Fund (IMF). During his first administration, Trump’s role was critical in ensuring that his friend Maurizio Macri received an unprecedented loan from 45 billion dollars. The sum was supposed to contribute to his re-election, which did not happen, among other things because that money participated in the circuit of capital flight. Then Luis Caputo was head of the Central Bank. He is currently Milei’s Minister of Economy, a champion of adjustment and one of those who wait new good offices of Trump so that Argentina not only refinances this liability again, but can also access it new credits neededs deepen the economic model and end exchange controls. In the first half of 2025, around $13 billion will have to be paid to private creditors and the International Monetary Fund.
Argentina is not a priority
The enthusiasm of the Argentine far right seems to overlook the main emergencies that the Republican would have if he returned to sit in the Oval Office: Ukraine and the Middle East. “If Trump’s logic prevailed and Milei became his main ally and spokesperson in the region, the most logical thing would be for the libertarian to make a decision equidistant position in the Ukrainian conflict due to the possibility of a rapprochement between Trump and (Vladímir) Putin. The automatic alignment with the republican magnate could mean a change of tone on some issues on which Milei has decided to raise his voice”, said the portal ‘La Política Online’.
If there is one Latin American country that appears on Trump’s agenda, it is this one Mexico, for the immigration issue. Milei could be a curious experiment for Trump to show off as part of his lineage, as happened in his time with the Brazilian. Jair Bolsonaro. However, analysts find no reasons for a deeper interest in Argentina, not even for his radical change on the Venezuelan question.
The China factor
Another challenge would be presented to the anarcho capitalist and that is China. Beijing breaks into the gaze of Trumpism as the main point of comparison global, just when Milei performed a surprising rhetorical pirouette towards the Asian giant. “I wouldn’t do business with China. I don’t sell my morals or make deals with communists,” Milei said before winning the election. Xi Jinping’s government played a crucial role in extending the $5 billion loan that enabled the approval of Buenos Aires financial difficulty. Milei forgot his insults and not only promised to travel in January to see the Great Wall. “China is a very interesting trading partner because they don’t expect anything. The only thing they ask is not to be disturbed,” he said months ago.
For now, and in the event that Milei’s expectations are not met and Kamala Harris prevails, Argentina will try to adapt to the unexpected. The new Foreign Minister, the entrepreneur Gerard Wertheinhe also has contacts with the Democrats.
Interview: Time.news Editor with Political Analyst
Time.news Editor: Welcome to our interview today. We have with us a distinguished political analyst to discuss the intriguing developments in Argentine politics under Javier Milei and his close ties with American conservatism, particularly with Donald Trump. Thank you for joining us!
Political Analyst: Thank you for having me. It’s an exciting time in Latin America, especially with how interconnected global politics have become.
Editor: To start, let’s talk about Javier Milei’s appearance at the Conservative Political Action Conference in Washington. What does his enthusiastic greeting of Donald Trump indicate about his political aspirations?
Analyst: Javier Milei’s exuberant shout of “President!” to Donald Trump is more than mere fanfare; it’s a strategic move. It reflects Milei’s desire to align himself with the far-right faction in America and to position Argentina as a key ally. By expressing such admiration, he’s signaling that he hopes to leverage Trump’s potential return to gain favor and possibly influence.
Editor: Fascinating! You mentioned alignment. Recently, Milei dismissed his Foreign Minister for supporting a UN resolution against the U.S. embargo on Cuba. What does this decision signify in the context of Milei’s foreign policy?
Analyst: This dismissal showcases Milei’s commitment to aligning Argentina’s foreign policy with Trumpism. It indicates a profound ideological shift within his administration. His actions suggest a “witch hunt” to eradicate any vestiges of perceived communism, a move aimed at strengthening ties with the U.S. and demonstrating loyalty to Trump’s agenda. It’s a clear signal that he intends to foster relations that are markedly in line with the right-wing positions of the U.S. government.
Editor: Milei also has his sights set on building connections with figures like Elon Musk. How do these relationships play into his broader strategy?
Analyst: By engaging with influential figures like Musk, Milei is attempting to tap into the tech and electoral powers that these individuals wield, not just in the U.S. but globally. Musk’s involvement in the North American electoral process could provide Milei with an avenue to bolster his political capital, ensuring that Argentina’s position in the region is strengthened under potential Republican governance.
Editor: Speaking of governance, there’s a prevailing belief that a Trump victory could lead to improved relations between the U.S. and Argentina, particularly regarding the IMF. Can you elaborate on that?
Analyst: Absolutely. Milei’s administration sees a Trump presidency as a potential lifeline for Argentina’s economy. Historically, Trump was instrumental in securing a massive loan for previous President Mauricio Macri. With Argentina facing significant debt obligations to private creditors and the IMF—over $13 billion due in 2025—Milei is likely banking on a similar arrangement with Trump again. This indicates a gamble on the idea that loyalty to Trump may yield financial support that could stabilize Argentina’s economy in a time of crisis.
Editor: However, one must wonder, does Milei’s enthusiasm perhaps cloud the reality of America’s broader priorities under Trump?
Analyst: That’s a crucial point. The geopolitical landscape is complex, and Milei’s fervor may be overlooking pressing U.S. issues, such as the conflicts in Ukraine and the Middle East. If Milei expects to be Trump’s go-to ally, he might need to adopt a more nuanced stance, particularly regarding sensitive international conflicts. This could mean adjusting his previously vocal positions to better fit the potential new U.S. administration’s approach.
Editor: In the grand scheme, how do you think this all ties into Argentina’s overall political landscape?
Analyst: It reflects a significant shift towards the far-right populism that has been gaining traction across the globe. It’s not just about Milei—it’s a symptom of a larger trend in Latin America where leaders are aligning with far-right views and U.S. interests. How this will play out economically and socially in Argentina remains to be seen, but it certainly indicates a departure from past policies and a recalibration of foreign relations.
Editor: Thank you for sharing your insights today. It’s clear that Argentina’s political path under Milei will be heavily influenced by both local ambitions and international dynamics in the coming years.
Analyst: Absolutely. It’s a crucial moment for Argentina as it navigates these changes on both domestic and international fronts.
Editor: Thank you for joining us, and thank you to our audience for tuning in. We’ll continue to monitor these developments and their implications for Argentina and its role on the global stage.