Latin America: Friend in Need

Excluded from the discussions and benefits of the Mexico City Conference (see INTERNATIONAL), Argentine was not friendless. On virtually every ship from England came eager British salesmen with seductive catalogues. The British Chamber of Commerce in Buenos Aires submitted to Vice President Juan Domingo Perón a plan for renewing British-Argentine trade relations after the war. On the list were machinery, boilers, busses, locomotives, nearly everything Argentina needs.

Before the war, Britain had a large share of Argentine trade. She would certainly have a large share after the war, since the two nations' economies are complementary. This forehanded burst of interest by British businessmen was a reminder that cold-shouldered Argentina was not alone in the world.