German trade finance in South America during the second industrial revolution. La Batalla de Buenos Aires, 1875-1913

This article identifies and analyzes the determinants of the success of German exports to Argentina between 1875 and 1913, the fastest emerging market in South America at that time. New German technology and increasing productivity were complemented by banking and financial support for trade. We find that industrial sectors linked to German foreign banks (Auslandsbanken) in Argentina benefited from privileged access to financial support and hence exported more in comparison with other leading industrial countries. Our findings contribute to the literature on Latin American emerging markets and the role of finance in the development of foreign trade.