Chapter 960 Opening up new markets
The geographical location of these five countries can be said to be "excellent". The Southern Hemisphere is already relatively remote. It is still in the Americas and is further away from the Eurasian continent. Although East Africa is the main body of the country, Located in the Southern Hemisphere, East Africa is relatively closely connected with the Eurasian continent through the Indian Ocean, and it is relatively convenient to travel to Europe and Asia.
But these countries are different, and this is also true. After all, they are places that can avoid both world wars. Even Africa, the most backward place in the world in the previous life, was a battlefield of World War II. First, the Japanese have also coveted Oceania, and South America's indifference to the world also illustrates South America's disadvantage in global trade.
Of course, this disadvantage is an advantage for East Africa. The route between Africa and South America is also the most convenient, so South American countries occupy an important position in the economy of the west coast of East Africa.
"Krid, what good things did you bring this time? Is there any tea and coffee?"
The quality of tea and coffee in East Africa is excellent, so domestic products are better for both drinks, especially exported coffee and tea.
Krid shook his head and said: "This time our ship brought over all industrial products. After all, coffee is also produced in South America. Although the taste may be a little worse, I still have some stock. Wait. I'll ask someone to bring you some. As for tea, I don't drink it myself, but others on the boat may like it. But this time I brought some mosquito coils for you. After all, there are a lot of mosquitoes in Paraguay."
< br>"Great, there are more mosquitoes here than in East Africa. Although mosquito repellent products such as mosquito coils can be bought locally, they are much more expensive than in our country. Many mosquito repellent products here are exported by us. Raleigh complained.
……
Rhine City.
Secretary of Commerce John Lear was briefing Ernst on relations with various countries in East Africa and South America over the past few years.
“We have officially established diplomatic relations with Brazil since 1891, but Argentina, Peru, and Uruguay did not establish diplomatic relations with us until 1892. The reason why these countries did not establish diplomatic relations with us at the first time Accepting our olive branch is mainly because its economy relies on the support of British capital.”
“Especially Argentina. At present, Argentina’s economy mainly cooperates with the British. The British import Argentine wool, beef and other agricultural products, and then Argentina. By handing over its railways, ports and other infrastructure construction to the British, the two countries achieved complementary interests. "
"So after the South African War, Argentina was relatively restrained in establishing diplomatic relations with East Africa at that time. Peru and Uruguay probably have this consideration as well.”
“However, since we established diplomatic relations with Argentina and other South American countries, our economic cooperation has developed rapidly, especially Argentina’s demand for East African industrial products.”
There is no reason why East Africa should not look at Argentina in the 19th century in a different light. This country with a population of only four million is ranked among the top ten economies in the world, so you can imagine how wealthy Argentina is today.
The key to this is naturally the United Kingdom. Currently, Argentina’s wool export volume ranks first in the world, and the destination is naturally the United Kingdom. Although other industries are also developing, the status of the textile industry remains unshakable. In the 19th century, the textile industry was still the world's largest industry, and as the country with the most developed textile industry, Britain had extremely strong demand for wool.
The income from wool alone is enough for the Argentinians. After all, the market demand for Britain and its colonies is quite large. It is enough for Argentina to act as a British shepherd. On this basis On the other hand, Argentina’s beef and mutton exports are also very impressive.
In comparison, Brazil is not good enough in this era. In the competition with Argentina, Brazil today is completely at a disadvantage.
Geographically speaking, Argentina has a suitable climate and is easier to absorb European immigrants. It has a vast plain area and a dense river network, making it easier to develop than Brazil. Don’t look at the fact that Brazil’s territory is far larger than that of Argentina, but due to transportation reasons, the interior of Brazil has not been effectively developed, and the Amazon rainforest is in the north, so the economic population is concentrated in the southeastern coastal areas.
However, the existence of the Brazilian Shield has caused many steep cliffs along the coast of Brazil. When the transportation problem is difficult to solve, it is difficult for the port to drive inland development and form an economic core. On the other hand, Argentina’s coastline is not inferior to Brazil’s at all. Moreover, the terrain is flat, there are many rivers, and there is easy interaction between the inland and the coast, so it was easier for Argentina to develop than Brazil in the early days.
In other aspects, Brazil's original suzerainty was Portugal, while Argentina's suzerainty was Spain. Spain's control over Argentina was weak, which also led to Argentina becoming independent earlier than Brazil and being exploited by the suzerainty for a shorter period of time.
The political ecology also has an important impact on the two countries. During the South African War, a revolution also broke out in Brazil. In 1888, after Brazil abolished slavery, the republicans were deeply encouraged. , overthrew the Brazilian royal family in 1889.
The political turmoil in Brazil also affected East Africa, which further promoted the end of the slave trade in East Africa. For some time, Brazil had been the largest destination for black people in East Africa.
When Brazil no longer has slaves, the slave trade in East Africa will naturally become more difficult to maintain. This is also an important reason why East Africa simply stopped the slave trade.
Of course, Brazil, which abolished the imperial system, did not realize the rapid development of the Brazilian economy as imagined by the republicans. On the contrary, it became more politically turbulent. The first president stepped down after less than one year in office. Therefore, the Brazilian political situation In an unstable situation, the economy will naturally be even worse.
So in the trade between East Africa and South America, Argentina and Paraguay are ranked ahead of Brazil. Argentina is rich and has strong spending power, while Paraguay has the best relationship with East Africa. East Africa has not yet established relations with other South American countries. Before the establishment of diplomatic relations, East Africa's trade with South America was mainly transited through Paraguay. Through Paraguay, East African goods could be indirectly sold to Brazil, Argentina and Bolivia.
Of course, as time develops and East Africa's international status becomes more stable, it is naturally impossible for East Africa to rely solely on Paraguay. Therefore, starting in the 1990s, East Africa began to strengthen its relations with other South American countries.
Not only the five South American countries, but other South American countries also have exchanges with East Africa. However, due to geographical location and economic reasons, other countries are not the focus of East Africa.
In fact, from all angles, trade and exchanges between East African and South American countries are a relatively slow process, far inferior to those between East Africa and Eurasian countries.
However, in the international environment, East Africa has to take the initiative to win over these countries. After all, the global market is so big, and East Africa’s industrial development can only continue to open up new markets. Although South American countries are deeply involved with the United Kingdom, , at least the obvious side is relatively independent.
So although the exchanges between these countries are thankless, they are not completely ineffective. This is also the process of expanding East Africa’s foreign economic influence. Without resorting to war, this process will only Very slowly.
After all, war is the most effective way to open the door to the other side. At the end of the 19th century, East Africa’s strength was far from enough. In terms of naval strength alone, East Africa ranked behind Britain, the United States, Russia, Germany, and France. .
So the object of study for East Africa can naturally only be the United States. As the world's largest industrial country, the United States does not have the right to speak in the world. Therefore, American products cannot sell well around the world, and they will always be affected by the British and French. constraints from these rule makers.
(End of this chapter)