Javier Milei provided a strong justification for Argentina’s expanding economic relationship with China, asserting that his nation had limited alternatives but to engage in trade with Beijing, all while negotiating a potential agreement with the US. During an interview, Milei skillfully navigated his ideological alignment with US President Donald Trump’s administration alongside his economic engagement with China, all while advocating for free trade. “The way we see it, China is a great trading partner,” Milei stated shortly after attending a Davos event alongside Trump, where he is recognized as one of the founding members of the US president’s controversial “Board of Peace. Examining China’s significance on the global stage reveals the necessity of engaging in trade with the country.” Milei, a prominent geopolitical ally of Trump, has sought to navigate a nuanced relationship between Washington and Beijing, particularly after labeling China’s Communist government as a “assassin” during his campaign. He has moderated his rhetoric as president, neither fully embracing nor entirely excluding the Asian giant. During his interview, he demonstrated a pragmatic approach by refraining from criticizing Trump’s apparent sidelining of Venezuelan opposition leader María Corina Machado, whom he referred to as a friend. He also sidestepped the opportunity to express discontent with Argentina’s larger neighbor, Brazil, under the leadership of leftist President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva.
In response to inquiries regarding Brazil’s upcoming elections in October, where the leader widely recognized as Lula is seeking a historic fourth term, Milei characterized the relationship between the two nations as one that is mature and responsible. “This is not merely an ideological contest of academic papers,” he stated. “At the center lie the existences of countless individuals.” Brazil stands as Argentina’s foremost trading partner, with China following closely behind. In 2025, Argentine exports to China experienced a remarkable increase of 62 percent compared to the previous year, significantly outpacing the 27 percent growth in shipments to the United States during the same timeframe. Milei has actively sought a free-trade agreement with the US following Trump’s return to the White House, asserting that he would provide positive updates on the pact “very soon.”
In contrast to his American counterpart, the libertarian leader has positioned himself as a vigorous proponent of free trade. He committed to taking all necessary actions to dismantle the obstacles posed by Argentina’s protectionist economy, and emphasized a recently-signed free trade agreement between the 27-member EU and Mercosur, the South American bloc of which his country is a part. “My plan is to engage with the European Union, to engage with the United States and to engage with China,” Milei stated. “I desire a liberalized economic framework.” When questioned about Trump’s actions in Venezuela, Milei provided a robust defense of the ousting of Nicolás Maduro, while simultaneously supporting US endorsement of the authoritarian leader’s deputy, Delcy Rodríguez. “In Venezuela, believing that there is another possibility to manage the stabilisation process is truly not understanding the limits of reality,” stated Milei. “From my perspective, the efforts being undertaken by the United States are commendable.”
Nonetheless, the self-proclaimed wildman of Argentine politics found it irresistible to take a jab at his leftist counterpart, Lula. When inquired whether he would consider naming one of his renowned dogs after the Brazilian leader, he responded that they are instead named after proponents of free-market economics. “I would never provide them with the name of an individual associated with the left,” Milei stated. “I hold my dogs in such high regard that I would never think to insult them.”