Argentine President Milei Pushes for U.S. Trade Pact at CPAC
Argentine President Javier Milei is eager to strengthen ties with the U.S. on trade. He recently addressed the Conservative Political Action Conference (CPAC) outside Washington, expressing his desire for Argentina to lead in a free trade agreement.
Milei referenced former President Donald Trump’s stance on reciprocal tariffs, a move that resonated well with the audience. However, Argentina’s membership in Mercosur, a South American trade bloc, complicates his ambitions.
“If not for Mercosur, Argentina would already be working on a mutually beneficial trade deal with the U.S.,” Milei stated. He also highlighted his commitment to reducing government bureaucracy, similar to Trump and Elon Musk’s efforts through the Department of Government Efficiency.
Trump reciprocated Milei’s enthusiasm, mentioning him in his speech and later meeting with him. This meeting might have provided Milei a brief respite from domestic issues, including the Libra crypto controversy.
Federal prosecutor Eduardo Taiano is investigating Milei’s endorsement of the meme coin Libra, which lost 90% of its value after milei’s promotion. This mirrors the decline of Trump’s meme coin, Official Trump (TRUMP).
During his trip, Milei also met with Musk and IMF chief Kristalina Georgieva. Discussions with Georgieva focused on Argentina’s ongoing IMF debt deal, a key part of Milei’s economic strategy.
Whether Milei achieves his trade goals remains uncertain. Though, his efforts have certainly placed him in the global spotlight.