Mills, Thomas (2013) Multilateralism, but not as we know it : Anglo-American economic diplomacy in South America during the Second World War. Journal of Transatlantic Studies, 11 (3). pp. 278-291. ISSN 1479-4012
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Abstract
This article explores economic diplomacy between the United States and Great Britain in South America during the Second World War. The dominant theme presented in the existing relevant literature on this subject is one whereby the US promoted a multilateral economic system, based on equal access to markets and resources, against the opposition of a British government determined to protect a closed trading system. The situation that arose in South America was markedly different. It was Britain that promoted multilateralism in South America, based on the belief that such a system would provide the surest means of protecting its interests in this region. The US, on the other hand, prioritised security concerns and short-term economic gains over the promotion of a multilateral trading system in its policy towards South America. In exploring this alternative situation that arose in South America this article represents a challenge to traditional conceptions of Anglo-American economic diplomacy during World War II.