The Argentina-China relations: A Peripheral realist analysis

This thesis attempts to contribute further to the investigation of the way in which the political relations between the PRC and Argentina are influenced by the complementariness of their economies. In order to do so, this paper will, firstly, examine the different reasons that provoked the deterioration of the political relation between the two countries, which has remained in a state of strain ever since reaching a peak of tension in 2004. Secondly, it will analyze the underlying causes that might explain the fact that -in spite of political tensions- commercial ties between the two countries have continued to be steady, with bilateral trade having consistently been on the rise and –until recently, at least– expected to become more intense in the next few years, an economic fact that could favor the normalization and reestablishment of the –currently– damaged political relations. Finally, it will briefly analyzed the negative effects that the existing stagnation could have on the PRC-Argentina political relation, negatively affecting it and potentially provoking a decrease on the commercial exchanges between the two countries