Former Argentine president Cristina Fernández de Kirchner has launched a blistering attack on current leader Javier Milei, accusing him of naïveté in his dealings with Washington and comparing him unfavorably to Ukraine’s Volodymyr Zelensky, whom she mocked as a “clown” abandoned by the West.
Kirchner’s criticism came in response to Milei’s attempt to downplay a new 10% U.S. tariff on Argentine exports — a move widely seen as a blow to the country’s already fragile economy. Instead of condemning the tariff, Milei posted a tweet quoting the Queen song “Friends Will Be Friends”, apparently aimed at reassuring citizens about Argentina’s relationship with the United States.
Kirchner was not amused.
“You want to convince us that the U.S. is still our friend? Maybe they’re friends with you,” she wrote on social media. “The only thing you can think of is making a post in English with the Queen song Friends Will Be Friends? That’s your big idea?”
She went on to point out the irony of Milei’s approach, noting that Argentina is now facing the same punitive tariffs as countries he frequently criticizes. She also took aim at Milei’s ties with former U.S. President Donald Trump, blaming him for past economic disruptions in Argentina, including market instability and plunging stock values for major Argentine companies.
For Kirchner, the situation echoes what she sees as a broader pattern of abandonment by the U.S. when its allies are no longer useful. Drawing a sharp parallel, she referenced Trump’s treatment of Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky during a controversial White House meeting in February.
“Look in the mirror and see how the ‘friend’ treated Zelensky when he was no longer useful,” Kirchner said. “You’re following the same script.”
Kirchner’s remarks add fuel to an already polarized political climate in Argentina, where Milei’s unconventional leadership style and libertarian economic policies have stirred both fervent support and fierce opposition. While Milei has worked to cultivate strong ties with Washington and pro-Western allies, critics say the recent tariff decision exposes the limits of that strategy.
The Milei administration has yet to respond directly to Kirchner’s comments.
