Two Presidents, Two Revolutions: Trump’s Trade War vs. Milei’s Libertarian Purge

Donald Trump and Javier Milei embody starkly different economic philosophies, each driving radical shifts in their nations. Trump’s nationalist mercantilism reshaped global trade dynamics, while Milei’s libertarian agenda seeks to dismantle state intervention.

Trump’s trade wars targeted China and Europe with aggressive tariffs, aiming to revive U.S. manufacturing. His policies combined protectionism with deregulation, weakening multilateral frameworks in favor of bilateral leverage. The approach prioritized geopolitical power over free-market principles.

Milei’s strategy diverges sharply, embracing Austrian economics to purge Argentina’s statist legacy. His reforms attack inflation through dollarization and slashing public spending—a gamble to reset the country’s financial foundations.