Action Items

Here are the actionable tasks, commitments, and decisions requiring follow-up mentioned in the interview:

Venezuela Stabilization and Transition

• President Millé (and implicitly the U.S. Administration): Continue with the current phase of stabilization in Venezuela.
  • This phase is part of a three-phase plan: stabilization, reconstruction, and transition towards democracy.
• U.S. Administration: Continue to implement its three-phase plan for Venezuela.
• President Millé (and implicitly the U.S. Administration): Continue efforts to secure the release of all political prisoners in Venezuela.
  • Specific concern was raised regarding the situation of Leopoldo Castillo from Argentina.
• President Millé: Support Maria Corina Machado and her candidate, Edmundo González, in their pursuit of the Venezuelan presidency.
  • Acknowledged that decisions regarding leadership may change during the reconstruction and democratic transition phases.

Argentina’s Economic Policy

• President Millé: Clean up the money overhang to allow the peso to float freely.
  • This is a prerequisite for removing currency controls and FX bands.
  • The money overhang is attributed to previous monetary policy, capital controls, and price controls.
• President Millé: Continue to develop the domestic capital market through the tax innocence act.
  • This aims to reduce the need to resort to foreign markets for funds.
• President Millé: Seek opportunities to raise money in international markets for rollover purposes, if necessary.
  • This will be done despite a strong belief that Argentina’s fundamentals do not align with current risk premiums.
• President Millé: Negotiate and sign a trade agreement with the U.S.
  • Currently working on the fine details and expects good news soon.
• President Millé: Support Mercosur’s deal with the European Union.
  • Believes in opening economies and sees this as a positive step, despite potential job reallocation.
  • Emphasizes that opening economies leads to cheaper goods for consumers and job creation in other sectors due to increased productivity and specialization.

Geopolitical and International Relations

• President Millé: Continue to open Argentina’s economy to the EU, the U.S., and China.
  • Recognizes the importance of trading with China due to its global economic weight.
  • Also intends to trade with India.
• President Millé: Maintain a relationship with Brazil and President Lula.
  • While acknowledging ideological differences, emphasizes the need for a functional adult relationship given the lives of millions of people.
  • Has encouraged flexibility and dynamism in regional trade agreements, citing the 25-year negotiation period for the EU-Mercosur deal as too long for the current global pace.
• President Millé: Identify and support individuals in Colombia and Brazil who will carry on a wave of reforms aligned with free market principles.
  • Expressed optimism that societies will embrace ideas of freedom.

Personal and Philosophical Stance

• President Millé: Continue to name his dogs after liberal icons (Murray Rothbard, Milton Friedman, Robert Lucas Jr.).
  • This is a symbolic representation of his ideological commitment.
• President Millé: Advocate for free market capitalism and ethical/moral values in policy design.
  • Believes this approach leads to justice, efficiency, economic growth, and social consensus.
  • Rejects Machiavellian political calculus in favor of policies based on ethical principles.