World

Milei Urges Trump to Strengthen Position Ahead of US Midterms

By Al Jazeera Staff

Argentine President Javier Mile I urged U.S. President Donald Trump to emerge from the November midterm elections in a stronger position, saying the vote is crucial for the West. Mile I made the appeal at a Hispanic Heritage gala in Washington, where a Hispanic association awarded him an honor. He told attendees that conservatives “cannot give an inch” in Latin America as they work to reclaim the hemisphere. Mile I arrived in Washington on Wednesday for meetings with investors and the gala, and he is scheduled to speak to the U.S. Chamber of Commerce on Thursday.

Mile I’s relationship with Trump began a year ago when the U.S. president backed the Argentine leader during a critical legislative election. Trump called Mile I his “favorite president.” The support included a $20 billion currency‑swap agreement announced by Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, in which the U.S. Treasury exchanged dollars for Argentine pesos. The swap followed Mile I’s party losing a key provincial election. Trump stated that his support depended on Mile I’s victory, saying, “I’m with this man because his philosophy is correct. If he wins, we’re staying with him. And if he doesn’t win, we’re gone.” He also warned that the U.S. would not be “generous” if Mile I lost.

The comments unsettled Argentine markets; the main stock index fell about 2 percent after the remarks, according to the Associated Press. The package drew criticism in the United States, with Democratic lawmakers accusing Trump of prioritizing a foreign bailout while the U.S. government was shut down.