It's one wealthy, far-right leader helping out his like-minded, loyal pal (Argentina bailout by Trump) [View all]

The Argentina bailout is all about propping up a Trump ally
https://www.cnn.com/2025/09/25/business/argentina-bailout-trump-milei

Analysis by Allison Morrow

1 hr 49 min ago


The Trump administration is negotiating a financial lifeline for Argentina, seeking to stabilize its currency and prevent broader economic fallout.

Such an extraordinary intervention might seem like an odd choice for the Trump administration, whose “America First” agenda calls for a more hands-off approach to foreign affairs. But it starts to make some sense (ideologically, at least) when you view the effort through a global MAGA lens: It’s one wealthy, far-right leader helping out his like-minded, loyal pal.

Here’s the deal: Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said Wednesday that the US would extend a $20 billion swap line — exchanging US dollars for pesos to help stabilize Argentina’s financial markets — and potentially scoop up Argentine government debt.


Why? There’s an economy answer and a geopolitics answer — which are obviously related, but let’s start with the econ basics.

Investors began selling off Argentine assets after they watched President Javier Milei’s party get absolutely trounced in a local election earlier this month. That vote suggested a lot of people aren’t happy with Milei’s free-market overhauls and suggested he could lose more political support in a bigger congressional election next month. .............




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Argentina's President Javier Milei met with President Donald Trump at the UN on Tuesday.
Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images