Trump defends Argentina talks: ‘They’re fighting for their life’

President Trump late Sunday defended Argentina as his administration is looking to secure $40 billion in financial assistance for the country.

“Argentina’s fighting for its life, young lady, you don’t know anything about it,” Trump told a reporter on Air Force One in response to a question. “They’re fighting for their life. Nothing’s benefiting Argentina.”

“They’re fighting for their life. You understand what that means? They have no money, they have no anything. They’re fighting so hard to survive. If I can help them survive in a free world — I happen to like the president of Argentina, I think he’s trying to do the best he can. But don’t make it sound like they’re doing great.”

Trump’s administration is seeking to secure a total of $40 billion in financial assistance for Argentina to assist the country’s libertarian leader in stabilizing its turbulent financial markets.

Earlier this month, the U.S. locked down a $20 billion currency swap line with Argentina’s central bank to hold up Argentine President Javier Milei’s struggling economy.

Last week, Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said that the U.S. wanted to give an extra $20 billion to Argentina, by way of a mix of financing from sovereign funds and private banks.

“We are working on a $20 billion facility that would complement our swap line, with private banks and sovereign funds that, I believe, would be more focused on the debt market,” Bessent told reporters.

“Many banks are interested in it and many sovereign funds have expressed interest,” the Treasury secretary continued.

Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-Ga.) criticized the Trump administration for looking to give as much as $40 billion in financing for the Latin American country. The Georgia Republican said Argentina should not benefit by way of taxpayer dollars as Americans are challenged at home.