Argentine President Javier Milei has expressed support for US President Donald Trump in light of the upcoming midterm elections, emphasizing the importance of the vote for the West. Milei made his remarks on Wednesday during a Hispanic Heritage gala in Washington, where he received an award from a Hispanic association. He stated that conservatives "cannot give an inch in our reconquest of the hemisphere," according to Agence France-Presse (AFP).
Milei arrived in Washington on Wednesday for meetings with investors and the gala event. He is scheduled to speak at the US Chamber of Commerce on Thursday. Trump had previously supported Milei during his own crucial legislative elections, referring to him as his "favorite president." Analysts suggest that Trump's backing, along with a currency swap agreement with the US Treasury, contributed to Milei's electoral success.
The currency swap, announced by Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, involved a $20 billion exchange between the US and Argentina's central bank, where dollars were traded for pesos. This agreement was established shortly after Milei's party experienced a setback in a key provincial election. Trump had indicated that his support for Milei was contingent on a victory, stating, "If he wins, we’re staying with him. And if he doesn’t win, we’re gone." He also cautioned that the US would not be "generous" if Milei lost, a statement that reportedly caused concern in Argentine markets, leading to a decline in the main stock index by approximately 2 percent, as reported by The Associated Press. The support package faced criticism from Democratic lawmakers in the US, who accused Trump of prioritizing foreign aid during a government shutdown.