Buenos Aires — Argentine President Javier Milei has found an outspoken ally in former U.S. President Donald Trump, whose open endorsement has energized Argentina’s libertarian leader as he pursues one of the most radical economic overhauls in Latin America.
The connection between the two figures — both known for their populist rhetoric and outsider personas — became more visible after Trump congratulated Milei following his 2023 election victory, calling him a “great gentleman” who would “make Argentina great again.” Their rapport was further cemented when Milei attended the Conservative Political Action Conference (CPAC) in Washington, where he delivered a fiery speech against socialism and government overreach.
Since taking office, Milei has launched an aggressive program of austerity and deregulation aimed at slashing Argentina’s deficit and taming inflation that surpassed 250% earlier this year. His administration has eliminated several ministries, cut public spending, and floated plans to privatize state-owned companies — measures that have sparked both praise from investors and anger from unions and social movements.
Trump’s continued public support has boosted Milei’s standing among right-wing movements worldwide. “You are doing a great job,” Trump said in a video message released in July 2025. “Argentina is back on track because of your leadership.”
However, analysts caution that Milei’s ideological alignment with Trump could complicate Argentina’s broader foreign relations. While the president has deepened ties with Washington and Israel, he has distanced Buenos Aires from China and Brazil — two of its top trading partners.
“Argentina is trying to reposition itself as a close ally of the U.S., but the global environment is more fragmented now,” said international relations expert Juan Gabriel Tokatlian of Universidad Torcuato Di Tella. “Aligning too closely with Trump’s brand of politics may limit Argentina’s flexibility.”
As Milei continues to wield his symbolic “chainsaw” — a nod to his promise to cut through bureaucracy and public spending — his partnership with Trump underscores a shared vision: anti-establishment, nationalist, and unapologetically combative. Whether that vision can stabilize Argentina’s economy, however, remains far from certain.