The Limits to a Trump-Milei Alignment
American ConservativeDEC 2024
Report: Argentina's Milei to Propose Trade Flexibility to Mercosur
Above: Javier Milei speaks during a joint statement with Italy's Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni at Casa Rosada presidential palace in Buenos Aires on Nov. 20, 2024. Image copyright: Juan Mabromata/Contributor/AFP via Getty Images
The Spin
Narrative A
The existing Mercosur structure has hindered economic growth and limited trade opportunities for its member states, driving the once-promising bloc to irrelevance. Whether you agree or not with Javier Milei's policies, it's a matter of fact that he is absolutely right about this one.
Narrative B
Javier Milei's proposal to make Mercosur more flexible was widely expected, but that doesn't make the move any better. In fact, it's quite the opposite, as Mercosur members have more bargaining power when they negotiate as a bloc.