ABSTRACT
This chapter summarizes Soviet economic and military trade in Latin America and assesses its political and economic importance. Prior to the 1960s, Soviet trade with Latin America was miniscule, although Soviet initiatives had resulted in formal trade agreements and modest increases in trade with Argentina after 1953 and with Brazil after 1959. The Soviet Union buys a great deal of foodstuffs from Brazil and is purchasing increasing amounts of iron ore and pig iron. Since 1984, the Soviets have resumed purchases of bauxite from Guyana, which in turn is buying Soviet aircraft, agricultural machinery, electronic equipment, and pharmaceuticals. In 1984, the two states signed an agreement under which the USSR was to construct and enlarge foundries and other enterprises in the Mexican iron and steel industry.
