President-elect Donald Trump's upcoming inauguration has garnered attention from world leaders, with more confirmations of invitations coming in. Notably, Argentine President Javier Milei has broken tradition by accepting Trump's invitation to attend the event in Washington. This marks the first time an Argentine leader has been invited to a U.S. presidential inauguration.
Additionally, there have been reports of invitations extended to other world leaders, such as President Nayib Bukele of El Salvador. While Bukele's attendance is still under consideration due to security concerns, the Salvadoran ambassador to the U.S. has acknowledged the invitation.
Trump himself mentioned the invitation extended to Chinese President Xi Jinping, who is yet to confirm his attendance. When asked about other invited leaders, Trump mentioned that Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy had not been invited but expressed openness to his attendance if interested.
Milei, known for his 'anarcho-capitalist' views, was the first foreign leader to meet with Trump post-election. His spokesperson highlighted similarities between Trump's initiatives and Milei's efforts in Argentina, particularly in the realm of government efficiency and deregulation.
Milei's austerity measures in Argentina, including budget cuts and layoffs, have garnered mixed reactions. While some economists express cautious optimism about the country's economic future under Milei's leadership, others raise concerns about the impact on government workers and public projects.
Looking ahead, Milei hopes that strengthened relations with the U.S. could aid Argentina in securing a new deal with the International Monetary Fund, potentially easing the country's debt repayment obligations in the coming year.