Trump threatens to pull Argentina support ‘if politics don’t align with US
AP Reporters
US president Donald Trump has threatened to pull assistance for Argentina if the nation’s internal politics do not go the United States’ way in its upcoming elections.
The comments came during a meeting between Mr Trump and Argentine president Javier Milei, whose country is set to hold mid-term elections for its legislative body later this month.
US presidents typically do not weigh in on the candidates in other countries’ democratic elections.
Referring to an opponent that was “extremely far-left” who encompassed a “philosophy that got Argentina into this problem in the first place”, Mr Trump warned that the United States would not “waste our time” with largesse toward Buenos Aires if Mr Milei does not prevail.
Re-election
In addition to the mid-terms that will be a referendum on his policies, Mr Milei himself is up for re-election in 2027.
“If he loses, we are not going to be generous with Argentina,” Mr Trump said from the Cabinet Room as he prepared to eat lunch with Mr Milei.
The US leader stressed that the 20 billion dollar (£15 billion) assistance to Argentina, which administration officials strenuously deny is a bailout, was about helping “our neighbours”.
The aid, he added, is “just helping a great philosophy take over a great country”.
US treasury secretary Scott Bessent added that the administration believed Mr Milei’s coalition in the upcoming mid-terms would “do quite well and continue his reform agenda”.
‘Maga’
As he opened his lunch with Mr Milei, Mr Trump noted that the Argentine president, who is an economist by trade, is “Maga all the way”. That traditionally refers to his campaign slogan, “Make America Great Again”, but this time, it also meant “Make Argentina Great Again”.
Ahead of his White House meeting, Mr Milei lavished praise on Mr Trump, deploying a tactic that has helped transform Mr Milei’s cash-strapped country into one of the Trump administration’s closest allies.
The effusive declarations are nothing new for Mr Milei – whose dramatic cuts to state spending and attacks on “woke leftists” have won him a following among US conservatives.
“Your commitment to life, freedom and peace has restored hope to the world,” Mr Milei wrote on social media Monday, congratulating the US president on securing a ceasefire deal in Gaza, where a truce is holding after a devastating, two-year Israel-Hamas war.
“It is an honour to consider you not only an ally in the defence of those values, but also a dear friend and an example of leadership that inspires all those who believe in freedom,” he said.
Mr Milei arrived at the White House on Tuesday afternoon and was warmly greeted by Mr Trump. The two men posed for photos, both giving a thumbs-up.
When asked by a reporter for his message to Argentina, Mr Trump said: “We love them. We will be there for them,” adding that Mr Milei is a “very great leader”.
Experts say Mr Milei comes to the White House with two clear objectives. One is to negotiate US tariff exemptions or reductions for Argentine products.
The other is to see how the United States will implement a 20 billion dollar currency swap line to prop up Argentina’s peso and replenish its depleted foreign currency reserves ahead of the polls later this month.
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Ok, political thuggery again. I take it if he hasn’t popped his clogs by the UK election he will be demanding Farage to win or else.
How are the US cities he has invaded anyway?
>>US presidents typically do not weigh in on the candidates in other countries’ democratic elections.
Really?
Aside from Trump… no. If someone is leading in the polls they might say “Oh sure, they look like they’re a pretty good person”, they might even comment on whether someone is a socialist or not, but it’s rare to be so blatant like this.
It is said that you cannot call someone a ‘dictator’ if they were ‘democratically elected’. No longer true. From ordering other countries to choose his chosen leader or else to the domestic beating of legal citizens and closing down of departments of government which will even wreck the lives of his own repenting at leisure supporters. D.T. Donald Trump or Dick Tator?
This shows how dangerous Trump is. He is the Mussolini of Project 2025 which is a political initiative by the Heritage Foundation aimed at reshaping the U.S. federal government to align with far-right policies, emphasising increased presidential power and loyalty among government workers. It includes a comprehensive policy document called the “Mandate for Leadership,” which outlines proposals for significant changes in areas such as immigration, education, and social policies, potentially undermining democratic checks and balances. It is also a messianic movement that intends to spread the doctrine of economic deregulation and elite enrichment into every other country – whether they… Read more »