US-China Relations Updates

In the recent Argentine presidential election, far-right candidate Javier Milei has been elected as the country’s president, creating historic significance globally.

Some of his major campaign promises and policy agendas represent the political stance of extreme right-wing small government and a large society, but they have somewhat approached the ideology of anarchism.

1. He aims to streamline government institutions, reducing the number of national ministries from 20 to 8 and cutting a significant number of government officials.
2. He plans to drastically reduce public fiscal expenditures, including spending on various national welfare programs.
3. No more tax increases. He believes that raising taxes is more shameful than theft.
4. He intends to shut down the Central Bank of Argentina, as he believes that excessive money printing by the government leads to looting the people’s wealth through inflation.
5. The foreign policy will heavily lean towards the United States and the West, displaying clear anti-China tendencies.
6. He believes that inmates in prisons must work and create wealth, and taxpayers’ money should no longer support these criminals.
7. He emphasizes freedom above all else, reducing government control over social affairs. Private property is sacred and inviolable, and euthanasia will be legalized.
8. Everyone has the freedom to sell their organs and bodies. “A person’s first property is their own body and organs.” How they choose to sell and utilize them is their own freedom, which is sacred and inviolable. This implies the legalization of prostitution and voluntary organ sales, and inevitably, surrogacy will also be legalized.
9. Canceling national-level pensions and health insurance. Retirement and healthcare will become individual responsibilities, no longer guaranteed by the state, and the healthcare system will further privatize.
10. Achieving educational liberalization, allowing schools to have autonomous management and admissions. The state will no longer set unified curricula and textbooks; this will be the responsibility of individual schools.
11. Marriage liberalization, abolishing current marriage laws and restrictions. Whether it is same-sex or opposite-sex, as long as it is a voluntary union, the marriage will be legal. Additionally, both polygamy and polyandry will also be legal.
12. Labor relations will become more liberal, amending laws to relax labor market regulations, increasing flexibility in employment contracts, making it easier to hire and dismiss employees.
13. Advocating for free trade, reducing and eliminating import and export tariffs, and canceling various quotas and restrictions.
14. Drastically reducing and eliminating various government approval procedures.
15. The most radical proposal is to abolish the Argentine national currency. People will have the right to independently choose any currency for trade and settlement, completely eliminating the risk of financial crises and bank runs.

I have the following three opinions:

Firstly, Milei’s election is a test for Argentina’s democratic system.

Although Milei obtained the presidency through a legitimate electoral process, some of his policy proposals may pose serious threats to Argentina’s constitution, rule of law, human rights, and social stability.

The ability of other political forces in Argentina, such as the parliament, judiciary, military, media, and civil society organizations, to effectively supervise and constrain Milei’s actions is also an important factor.

Secondly, Milei’s election is an adventure for Argentina’s economic development.

Argentina’s economic problems are long-standing structural issues that require thorough reforms and sound policies to address, rather than simplistic slogans and radical measures.

Some of Milei’s proposals, such as dollarization and the destruction of the central bank, may lead to further chaos and uncontrollability in Argentina’s economy, and even trigger greater crises and disasters.

Whether he can listen to professional advice and formulate economically viable policies that align with Argentina’s national conditions and interests is also unknown.

Thirdly, Milei’s election is a variable in Argentina’s foreign relations.

Argentina is an important country in South America and a significant member of the international community. The direction of its foreign policy not only affects its own security and interests but also impacts regional and global peace and stability.

Some of Milei’s proposals, such as withdrawing from the South American Common Market, establishing close relations with the United States and Israel, and countering Chinese and Iranian influences, may deteriorate Argentina’s relations with neighboring countries and other important nations, and even lead to conflicts and confrontations.

Whether he can uphold and develop Argentina’s multilateralism and diversified diplomatic strategy remains a significant uncertainty.

In my opinion, Milei’s election has brought about significant changes and challenges for Argentina, as well as new uncertainties and risks to the turbulent world. Whether he can truly make Argentina great again remains to be seen and verified by time and results. After all, slogans alone cannot make Argentina great.

Lastly, may God bless Argentina…