Javier Milei Joins Trump's Tariff Plan at CPAC

Javier Milei, the President of Argentina, announced in his speech at the Conservative Political Action Conference (CPAC) in Washington that Argentina will join Donald Trump's reciprocal tariff plan. His remarks were met with enthusiasm from the American conservative audience. According to this plan, which will take effect on April 2, the United States will impose the same tariff level on imports from foreign countries that those countries impose on American goods. Milei, who considers Trump an ideological ally, emphasized that Argentina will be the first country to join this U.S. trade policy. Trump has also threatened to impose a 25% tariff on steel and aluminum imports, a move that could have serious implications for Argentina's economy. Milei, who was trying to meet Trump the same day, needs U.S. support in negotiations with the International Monetary Fund. He met last week with Kristalina Georgieva, the head of this financial institution. In his speech, which was mostly in Spanish, he stated that the U.S. and Argentina must achieve their 'second independence.' According to him, the 'first independence' was from European colonizers, but the 'second independence' will be liberation from government tyranny. Milei criticized his opponents, saying, 'They say that Trump and I are dangerous for democracy, but in reality, they say this because we are dangerous for them. They are right; we are their worst nightmare.' Milei referred to Elon Musk as his 'dear friend' and stated that his government will eliminate unnecessary, redundant, and harmful programs with a 'chainsaw.' This reference was to a chainsaw he gifted to Musk, which Musk proudly displayed at the CPAC conference. So far, Milei's government has managed to reduce Argentina's inflation rate, but according to official data, the poverty rate in the country exceeded 50% last year. A European Union official in the U.S. is negotiating to resolve tariff threats. The Senate confirmed Donald Trump's nominee for the position of Secretary of Commerce. Trump stated that 'reciprocal tariffs' will be applied for fair trade and that he will deal equally with any country that forces the U.S. to pay tariffs. Argentina continues to investigate the role of the Islamic Republic in the AMIA bombing, and the President of Argentina promised to change laws to prosecute Iranian officials related to the AMIA bombing.