On December 27, in three weeks, 200 years of diplomatic relations between Argentina and the United States will mark. During the 19th century there was little exchange between the two countries because the Argentine economy was closely linked to that of the United Kingdom. Political relations were also not positive because the United States did not invoke the Monroe Doctrine when (1833) the English colonized the Falkland Islands (Malvinas for Argentina) or when (1838) the French blocked the River Plate.
In the 20th century the ties between the two nations had ups and downs. During World War I, Argentina maintained “benevolent neutrality.” In its territory there were a large British and German population, both with strong investments. For this reason, he refused to side with the American side. However, the meat, grain and cotton sent to the United Kingdom were vital to the Allied triumph.
The situation was repeated during World War II. Argentina was the last Latin American country to declare war on the Axis powers. It continued to trade with Germany until 1944. At the same time it maintained its exports of meat and wheat to Great Britain.
At the end of the war, it allowed many German soldiers to take refuge in its territory. Among them, the war criminals Josef Mengele and Adolf Eichmann.
This gave rise to countless conspiracy theories. From the supposed presence of the “real Hitler” there, to legends of Nazi submarines unloading gold in their ports.
During Peronism, the relationship was ambiguous. The American ambassador openly opposed the general’s promotion and he maintained an anti-gringo speech. However, Perón aligned himself with Washington’s interests and did not support the Soviet Union during the Cold War.
In the 1970s, the United States supported the Military Junta with equipment and training, despite reports of flagrant human rights violations. That changed radically with the arrival of James Carter to the White House.
In 1982 there was practically a break, when Ronald Reagan fully supported Margaret Thatcher to recover the Falklands.
In the 90s, relations improved and the southern country even supported the United States in the Gulf War. In large part this was because exports to the American Union intensified and that nation became its main investor.
In the governments of the Kirchner era there were multiple tensions due to Argentina’s inability to cover its financial commitments, due to its closeness to the Cuban and Venezuelan regimes and due to its growing economic ties with China.
At the same time, cooperation on security issues improved. Argentina joined the regional mechanism against organized crime and designated Hizbullah as a terrorist organization. He was able to face the Covid pandemic thanks to strong financial assistance and the donation of personal protective equipment.
Start over
Milei will arrive this Sunday at the Casa Rosada with the country in ruins. With the economy in contraction, inflation reaches 140%. The peso is devalued and they have no monetary reserves. 40% of the population is in poverty. Half of Argentines live on social assistance.
It is evident that they require help and the one who can provide it is the United States. Unfortunately they do not expect much, because previous governments that aligned themselves with the great power did not receive what they expected.
Carlos Menem began a reform program that was frustrated when the Federal Reserve consecutively raised interest rates and the foreign debt became unmanageable. Something similar happened to Mauricio Macri and that is why he ended up approaching China, with whom he found pragmatic cooperation and tangible benefits.
Javier Milei has announced an unorthodox recovery program. He intends to eliminate the Central Bank, dollarize the economy, eliminate half of the ministries and privatize loss-making state companies. He also proposes distancing himself from Brazil and China (the first and second trading partners of his country), not entering the BRICS mechanism (Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa) and “aligning with the West in the defense of the values of freedom”.
During his visit to Washington last week, he did not find many friendly gestures, either from Treasury officials or those from the National Security Council, who do not view his coincidences with Trump favorably. In reality, there will not be a clear picture until after the November 2024 elections.
