Overview
- President Javier Milei reposted a video on X and accused the economist of seeking to “rob” 10% of consumption, labeling him “kirchnerista = ladrón” and later calling the idea a “disparate total.”
- Álvarez Agis detailed a three-part plan: eliminate the cheque tax, introduce a levy on cash withdrawals, and cut taxes for SMEs to ease a transition into formality.
- The economist argued the scheme would be revenue-neutral and shift the burden from formal, banked activity to cash-based transactions, which consumers could avoid by paying electronically.
- The exchange followed a post by Buenos Aires provincial lawmaker Agustín Romo warning of an ‘impuesto al efectivo,’ which Milei amplified to his audience.
- Government voices also criticized the idea, with Vice Economy Minister José Luis Daza warning it could unsettle banks and push savers to withdraw deposits.