The article provides a critical analysis of Argentina's economic decline, suggesting that the country's political leadership made significant errors during World War II that have had lasting repercussions. Specifically, it points to the foreign policy decisions made during this period—where Argentina adopted a stance of neutrality and rejected opportunities for alignment with the Allies—as factors contributing to its diminished global status and economic struggles. In contrast, Brazil is highlighted as having benefited from its participation in the war, having sent troops to support Allied efforts in Italy, which arguably facilitated better economic outcomes for the country post-war.

Furthermore, the discussion references the 1933 Roca-Runciman Treaty, which the author argues is indicative of Argentina's failure to recognize shifts in global power dynamics, particularly the decline of the British Empire and the rise of the United States as a global hegemon. This treaty sought to secure Argentina's traditional meat export quotas, a move seen as futile since the U.S. market had become largely inaccessible to Argentine exports since 1927. The implications of this treaty illustrate a fundamental misunderstanding of the changing global economy and highlight Argentina's struggle to adapt to new economic realities.

The article contended that these historical missteps not only impacted Argentina during the war but have had poignant effects on its economy in the decades since. The ineptitude of its leadership during a crucial turning point in global history is portrayed as a critical factor in explaining why Argentina has frequently "missed the train" of significant economic opportunity, leaving lingering questions about its potential recovery and growth moving forward.