Argentine President Javier Milei declared on Tuesday that the recent rise in inflation 'repulses' him but insisted the rate is destined to collapse due to his administration's economic policies. Speaking at a conference for the U.S. Chamber of Commerce in Argentina, Milei addressed the latest figures released by the National Institute of Statistics and Censuses (Indec).
According to cnnchile.com, the president used the platform to express his disdain for the current economic indicators. The Indec reported that consumer prices grew by 3.4% in March compared to February, marking the highest monthly increase since March 2025.
"I detest the way traditional politics does things, and since I hate inflation, and since I didn't like the data and it repulses me, I am going to talk about inflation," Milei told an audience of business leaders and cabinet members, the outlet reported.
Monetary crackdown
While the annual inflation rate fell to 33.1% in March from February's 33.1% peak, the monthly jump represents the tenth consecutive month of rising inflation indicators. Milei blamed the recent volatility on opposition-led legislation in Congress and market uncertainty following the 2025 parliamentary elections.
"Inflation is going to collapse moving forward, and the economy is going to return to the strong growth path we had prior to the attack of politics," Milei said, according to cnnchile.com.
Maintaining the stance he has held since taking office in December 2023, the president characterized inflation as a purely monetary phenomenon. He attributed the current price fluctuations to a sharp decline in money demand during the second half of last year.
Milei signaled that his administration will continue to drain liquidity from the economy regardless of the impact on economic activity. "We are going to take all the pesos out of the streets until the inflation rate collapses, and we are not going to stop in that. We are not going to yield an inch in monetary policy," he stated.
These comments follow months of criticism from business sectors and analysts regarding Argentina's declining economic activity. Milei rejected the idea of a trade-off between managing inflation and maintaining employment or growth.
He concluded his speech by asserting that his administration would follow its established economic manual even if it affects his public image or his prospects for reelection in 2027. "We are going to write the best page in Argentine history, whether you accompany us or not," Milei said.
