New York City, NY – Renowned Argentine libertarian economist and newly elected President Javier Milei arrived in New Jersey on Monday morning, marking the beginning of his crucial visit to the United States. The Argentine newspaper Clarín reported the development as Milei embarked on a journey that includes stops in New York City and Washington.
Milei, who secured a decisive victory in the November 19 presidential election against incumbent Economy Minister Sergio Massa, is set to realign Argentina’s foreign policy. He aims to shift away from ties with nations like China and Iran, a trend observed during the past 16 years under socialist leadership, and foster stronger alliances with the United States and Israel.
The president-elect shared a pre-departure photo on social media alongside key figures in his upcoming administration—Luis Caputo, the designated Minister of Economics, and Nicolás Posse, expected to assume the chief of staff role. Reports from Argentine newspaper La Nación confirmed Milei’s touchdown on American soil in New York, where he plans to make a brief stop at the Ohel, a significant Jewish holy site, to express gratitude for his electoral success.
In a recent interview with La Nación, Milei shed light on the purpose behind his visit to the Ohel, the resting place of Menachem Mendel Schneerson, the seventh Lubavitcher Rebbe. Raised Catholic, Milei has publicly embraced Judaism over the past two years, incorporating Jewish iconography into his presidential campaign and openly discussing conversion. His return to the Ohel, following a visit in July, is a gesture of thanksgiving and a moment to seek wisdom, courage, and temperance for his upcoming responsibilities as Argentina’s president.
“I am going to say thanks and try to rise to the level of the circumstances,” Milei stated, emphasizing the significance of the Ohel visit before heading to Washington for a series of meetings related to his presidential duties.
While Milei downplayed expectations of a meeting with former President Donald Trump during this visit, recent interactions suggest a high likelihood of an in-person meeting. Trump congratulated Milei via video on his Truth Social profile and is reportedly considering attending Milei’s inauguration in Buenos Aires on December 10.
In Washington, Milei is scheduled to meet with key officials, including Juan González, Biden’s top policy adviser on Latin America, representatives from the State Department and Treasury, and officials from the International Monetary Fund (IMF) to discuss strategies for addressing Argentina’s substantial public debt.
Marc Stanley, the American ambassador to Buenos Aires, characterized Milei’s engagements as “introductory meetings at the technical level to generate common synergies and to understand how we would work together towards the future.” The Biden administration, although offering a more restrained response compared to Trump’s effusive congratulations, extended its acknowledgment. President Biden called Milei on November 22, emphasizing the importance of building on the strong relationship between the United States and Argentina on economic issues, human rights, food insecurity, and clean energy.
Milei, in turn, has not minced words in his criticism of President Biden, declaring him a “threat to Western values” in an earlier interview. The upcoming meetings in Washington are anticipated to set the stage for future diplomatic relations between Argentina and the United States under Milei’s leadership.