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The WEF could show how the “Chainsaw Man” wants to deal with the world. So far he has particularly excelled with U-turns.
Before his election as president, Milei spoke comparatively rarely about his foreign policy line. His allies in the world are the USA and Israel, Milei explained in an interview on Argentine television a few months ago.
He said he sees Israel as such a close ally that he will move the Argentine embassy from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem. Just like the USA did before under Donald Trump.
USA – Israel – Pope
Milei’s first trip after his election was to the USA – before he officially took office. A trip to Israel and a visit to the Pope in Rome are being discussed. However, Pope Francis, who has Argentine roots, called Milei a fool during the election campaign. At the same time, he showed a great affinity for the dictators in Cuba and Venezuela.
The Pope has since forgiven the Argentine president for these statements, and Milei has invited Francis to his home country. A typical pattern: Milei deals and then does a U-turn.
Reservations against the Global South – still
During the election campaign, Milei described China and Brazil, which is ruled by center-left politician Lula da Silva, as communist states that he did not want to get closer to. Milei’s government has already rejected Argentina’s membership in the Brics group of states, which also includes Russia.
Caption: President Javier Milei on Saturday, January 13, 2024 in Buenos Aires, where he is pushing for strict austerity policies and deregulation of the country. He is expected at the WEF in Davos on Wednesday. Imago/Aton Chile
Milei is therefore missing the opportunity to belong to the most important club in the Global South, says Tomás Múgica, political scientist at the Universidad Católica Argentina: “Milei sees the international order through ideological lenses and fails to recognize that the Global South is becoming increasingly important.”
Harsh tones against China – trade desired
Instead, the right-wing populist is seeking proximity to the West. But the line is not that clear-cut: Argentina will continue to trade with China and South America’s largest economy, Brazil – and politicize together if the direction is right.
Milei wants to sign the long-awaited Mercosur trade agreement with the EU together with Brazil soon. Although he said during the election campaign that he wanted to dissolve the Mercosur group – another U-turn.
Milei will present his view of the world in more detail on Wednesday at the World Economic Forum in Davos. As always, his statements should be viewed with caution.