US President Trump Hosts El Salvador’s Bukele at the White House: Trade, Immigration, and Bitcoin on the Sidelines

On April 14, 2025, US President Donald Trump welcomed El Salvador’s President Nayib Bukele to the White House for high-level discussions centered on pressing matters like trade, immigration, and bilateral security cooperation. However, despite both leaders’ shared interest in Bitcoin and digital assets, the topic was noticeably absent from the official talks. Bukele’s first official meeting with Trump during his second term focused on more immediate concerns, leaving Bitcoin and digital assets on the back burner.

Immigration and Security Take Center Stage

In the livestream shared by Bukele’s office on X, the two leaders discussed migration and security cooperation, issues that have been central to their bilateral relationship since Trump took office. Trump proposed expanding the prison system in El Salvador, specifically addressing the need to house US citizens convicted of crimes. He mentioned that more facilities would be needed to accommodate these detainees, jokingly suggesting that the country should “build about five more places” to handle the overflow.

The topic of deportation was also raised, with Trump noting that since his administration began, hundreds of foreign nationals accused of crimes have been deported to El Salvador under a $6 million deal between the two nations. This arrangement has been part of an ongoing effort to combat organized crime and improve security in both countries, with El Salvador’s government continuing to embrace a strict stance on crime under Bukele’s leadership.

Another key issue discussed was the trade war that began under the Trump administration. Trump mentioned the possibility of offering temporary exemptions for automakers to help ease the challenges they face due to shifting supply chains. He noted that the US auto industry needs “a little bit of time” to make the transition, suggesting that the exemptions could provide some relief in this area.

Despite these significant discussions on immigration and trade, the meeting didn’t touch on one of the most high-profile topics that has defined both leaders’ relationships in recent years: Bitcoin.

Bitcoin: A Shared But Unspoken Agenda

While Bitcoin was not on the official agenda, it is worth noting that both Trump and Bukele have championed cryptocurrency in their own ways. El Salvador made history in 2021 by becoming the first country to adopt Bitcoin as legal tender, a move that was highly controversial but also a bold step towards integrating digital assets into the national economy. In addition to adopting Bitcoin as a legal currency, Bukele spearheaded the concept of a Bitcoin strategic reserve, later followed by similar plans in the United States.

During his 2024 campaign, Trump positioned himself as a pro-crypto candidate, a stance that gained traction as digital assets continued to rise in prominence. In March 2025, Trump took a significant step toward securing the US’s digital future by signing an executive order to create a Bitcoin strategic reserve. The US now holds nearly 198,000 BTC, valued at over $17 billion, largely sourced from seized assets in criminal and civil cases, including Bitcoin seized from notorious hacks like Silk Road and Bitfinex.

While Bitcoin was not a topic of discussion at the White House, the shared focus on digital assets between the two leaders is undeniable. Both nations are navigating the evolving landscape of cryptocurrency, albeit from different angles, with El Salvador pushing for more adoption and integration, while Trump and the US government seem to be taking a more cautious, reserve-based approach.

El Salvador’s Bitcoin Strategy Faces IMF Pressure

In contrast to the US’s relatively hands-off approach to Bitcoin, El Salvador has faced significant external pressure regarding its Bitcoin initiatives, particularly from the International Monetary Fund (IMF). In December 2024, El Salvador entered into a $1.4 billion loan agreement with the IMF, which included provisions that required the country to wind down its Bitcoin-related projects and reduce public sector involvement with digital assets.

In response, El Salvador’s Congress amended its Bitcoin laws in January 2025 to comply with the IMF’s demands. However, despite this change, Bukele’s administration has remained steadfast in its commitment to Bitcoin. According to the National Bitcoin Office’s tracker, the country continues to purchase Bitcoin regularly, and as of now, it holds 6,147 BTC, valued at approximately $520.7 million. This is a relatively modest holding compared to the size of the US’s reserve but underscores El Salvador’s ongoing commitment to integrating Bitcoin into its national economy.

While Bitcoin was not discussed during the April 14 meeting between Trump and Bukele, the strategic alignment between the two countries on cryptocurrency remains an important facet of their relationship. Both El Salvador and the US are navigating the complex and rapidly evolving world of digital assets, albeit through different lenses.

El Salvador remains committed to Bitcoin’s integration within its economy, despite external pressure from the IMF, while Trump has made it clear that Bitcoin and digital assets will be a key part of his agenda for the US in the years to come.

The absence of Bitcoin from this particular meeting may be seen as a momentary divergence, but the future of Bitcoin and its role in international relations, especially between the US and El Salvador, remains bright, with both leaders clearly positioning themselves as champions of the cryptocurrency revolution.