Milei slams business critics as he opens Argentina roadshow in NYC

President Javier Milei lashed out at critical business figures on Tuesday as he formally opened the ‘Argentina Week’ investor roadshow in New York.

Milei, 55, took aim in particular at Paolo Rocca, the Italian‑Argentine billionaire head of the multinational industrial conglomerate Techint and Javier Madanes Quintanilla, an Argentine industrialist whose business empire includes the now‑closed tyre maker Fate and stakes in aluminium production.

The President went on to describe them as “empresarios prebendarios” – implying they profit from privileged access and government connections.

“We have bad people, but also people who are creative when it comes to doing harm,” Milei said. “Everyone knows that in recent weeks I’ve had open confrontations with Paolo Rocca, with Javier Madanes Quintanilla and with the textile sector, but since no one has put forward a visible face, I can’t attack them directly.”

In elaborating on his critique, Milei accused them of colluding with “thieving politicians” and of having “attacked many Argentines” through practices he views as reinforcing corruption and protectionism. 

“Rocca and Madanes, in collusion with thieving politicians, attacked many Argentines – but that’s over. The era of corrupt politics is over. Who is in favour of corruption? These are uncomfortable questions to ask, but I’m willing to ask them for a better Argentina,” said Milei.

The La Libertad Avanza leader also defended his aggressive economic liberalisation agenda, including the removal of import barriers. 

“There’s an allocation problem. They are distorting relative prices and producing something that shouldn’t be produced,” Milei warned.

Milei said his reforms benefit “millions of Argentines” while undermining the business interests of entrenched industrial players.

His remarks come amid broader tensions between his administration and Argentina’s industrial elite over trade policy, competition with foreign firms, and the economic viability of large domestic manufacturers in an increasingly open market.

Iran comments

President Milei declared Monday that Iran is an "enemy" of Argentina and that he is “proud” to be “the most Zionist President in the world.”

Speaking at Yeshiva University in New York before a mostly Jewish audience, the La Libertad Avanza leader said that “we are going to win” as he referenced the ongoing conflict in the Middle East.

"They have bombed us twice, once at the AMIA [Jewish community centre] and once at the Israeli Embassy. Therefore, let's say they are our enemies. I also have a strategic alliance with the United States and Israel," Milei said, referencing two lethal bombings in Buenos Aires in 1994 and 1992, respectively.

"I am proud to be the most Zionist president in the world," he declared.

Milei defended the actions of the US and Israeli administrations, casting US President Donald Trump as peace-maker in the bid to resolve global conflicts. 

"Trump has ended eight conflicts, has worked closely with Israel, and today we can clearly see what happened in Venezuela and what is happening in Iran. Therefore, I have no doubt that the United States and Israel will emerge victorious from this situation. 

“I have no doubt that in this way he will continue to cut off funding to countries such as Cuba and Venezuela, which were dedicated to spreading terror," said Milei.

A day earlier, Milei had suggested that the US and Israeli military action against Iran could benefit Argentina’s exports and foreign currency reserves.

The President said he expected an "improvement" in oil and agricultural exports as a result of the Middle East conflict.

"Argentina, in this context, will see an improvement in its terms of trade because oil prices are rising, and Argentina is a net exporter," Milei told radio station FM NOW.

"Furthermore, all the grains that Argentina exports, soybeans, corn, and sunflower, are also rising in price," Milei said in an interview.

‘Warrior of truth’

Milei was also honoured with a “Warrior of Truth” award during a separate appearance Monday at the Algemeiner non-profit organisation’s 12th Annual “Jewish 100 Gala” in recognition of his “unwavering moral clarity, principled leadership, and steadfast support for Israel and the Jewish people.”

During an acceptance speech, Milei praised the courage of nations that stand up to fundamentalism and reaffirmed Argentina's new role on the international stage.

Condemning nations that oppress their people, he said the West had to “put a stop to a murderous regime that not only committed crimes against its own people, keeping them captive under its tyranny."

“We are going to win,” said the President, referencing the crisis in the Middle East.

Further travel ahead

Milei is due to attend Chile president-elect José Antonio Kast’s inauguration in Valparaíso on Wednesday, arriving back in Buenos Aires the following day. 

In a change to his schedule, government sources said Monday that the President has now decided not to attend the Expoagro exhibition in San Nicolás, Buenos Aires Province, that runs until this weekend. 

He has instead decided to travel to Spain to take part in the Madrid Economic Forum, a gathering of right-wing leaders.

– TIMES/NA/AFP