President Trump on Tuesday endorsed Argentine President Javier Milei for reelection, praising him for helping the South American country’s economy and offering U.S. support.
“We’re going to help them, but I don’t think they need a bailout. He’s doing a fantastic job,” Mr. Trump said while meeting with Mr. Milei at the United Nations.
In a Truth Social post afterward, Mr. Trump said Mr. Milei is “highly respected … [and] has proven to be a truly fantastic and powerful leader.”
He posted that Mr. Milei inherited a “total mess” of an economy, “yet he has brought stability back to Argentina’s Economy, and lifted it to a new level of Prominence and Respect.”
Mr. Trump added, “We have had a tremendous relationship with Argentina, which has become a strong ally, thanks to President Milei. I look forward to continuing working closely with him so that both of our Countries can continue on their incredible paths of success. Argentina: Javier Milei is a very good friend, fighter, and WINNER, and has my Complete and Total Endorsement for Re-Election as President — He will never let you down!”
Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent on Monday said the U.S. is prepared to offer Argentina a financial lifeline after a local election ended in disappointment and tanked the country’s peso currency.
Mr. Bessent posted on X that Argentina is a “systemically important U.S. ally” in Latin America, so the Treasury Department “stands ready to do what is needed within its mandate to support Argentina. All options for stabilization are on the table.”
The options include currency swap lines, direct currency purchases and the Treasury Department’s Exchange Stabilization Fund, which influences currency exchange rates without affecting the money supply in the country.
Mr. Milei, a libertarian, saw his party suffer a blow after the results of a Buenos Aires-area election. It cast doubt on his ability to enact free market reforms.
Mr. Trump and Mr. Milei are allies. Both have shared their commitments to slashing government spending in their respective countries.
• Tom Howell Jr. contributed to this report.
• Mallory Wilson can be reached at mwilson@washingtontimes.com.
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