Reports: Milei plans to travels to US for Independence Day

President Javier Milei is planning to travel to the United States for the upcoming July 4 celebrations marking the 250th anniversary of the US declaration of independence.

Multiple local media outlets reported over the past week that the head of state will be in attendance at events marking the historic landmark, which are being organised by US President Donald Trump’s government.

It would be Milei’s 18th trip to the US since taking office in December 2023.

Milei was invited to attend by Trump, another sign of the La Libertad Avanza leader’s strategic alliance with Washington and close alignment with the Republican leader.

The President’s itinerary has not yet been confirmed, nor has the composition of the delegation that will accompany him, though it is understood the first stop will be New York City. Other stops are also being considered.

Under the current plans, the President is due to arrive in the same week that the Argentine naval training vessel ARA Libertad fragata arrives in the famed US city.

News of Milei’s trip follows the recent announcement that US pharmaceutical firms could invest more than US$8 billion in Argentina for research and development (R&D).

The investment concerns clinical trials that are already underway in Argentina and which could generate additional foreign currency inflows through both investment and the export of services. There are currently around 1,000 clinical studies under way in the country, while approximately 4,000 contracts are signed annually with clinical research centres.

Last week, President Milei met with executives from several pharmaceutical firms alongside Health Minister Mario Lugones.

Representatives from Merck & Co, Roche, Bristol Myers Squibb, Novartis, GlaxoSmithKline, Sanofi and Pfizer attended the meeting in Milei’s office at the Casa Rosada.

Milei’s visit to the United States will take place while the 2026 FIFA World Cup is being staged across the United States, Mexico and Canada. Although the President has yet to finalise his schedule for the celebrations, he will not attend any matches involving the national team, said government sources.

Government ministers or secretaries are expected not to attend the tournament as fans. “There has been no official instruction; people simply understand the situation,” said a source with direct access to the President.

The announcement of Milei’s 18th trip to the United States reflects a broader alliance between the Trump and Milei administrations that extends into sensitive areas such as defence.

Recently, Milei boarded the nuclear-powered aircraft carrier USS Nimitz alongside US Ambassador Peter Lamelas, Presidential Chief-of-Staff Karina Milei and other government officials.

On May 9, the Argentine Navy signed a letter of intent with US Southern Command under the “Programme for the Protection of Global Commons” – a framework that categorises the Argentine Sea as a “global common.”

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