Writer explores the history of Argentina in the 20th century, the loss of relevance for Brazil and Milei’s government
Economist Fabio Giambiagi, 64 years old, published the book “”, in which he analyzes the country’s recent history. The growing loss of interest in Brazil in the neighboring country over decades is one of the components of the book.
There was no formal launch. The book has been available since June 5, 2026 in bookstores. There are online sales at , and , among other sites.
The teams from Brazil and Argentina will be able to face each other from the quarter-finals onwards, starting on Thursday (June 11, 2026). The Argentine team is currently in 1st position in the FIFA (International Football Federation) rankings. The Brazilian, in 6th place.
Football is still a point of interest in the mutual relationship between the 2 countries. But economic relations are declining in long-term comparison.
Giambiagi says in the book that exports to Argentina represented 13% of Brazil’s total sales abroad in 1998. In recent years, they account for between 4% and 5% of the total.
Part of this is explained by the increase in China’s weight in the South American economy. But another part, according to the economist, is because of high inflation and low economic growth in Argentina.
Born in Rio in 1962, Giambiagi is the son of Argentine parents. The family returned to live in Buenos Aires when he was 10 months old. He returned to Brazil, initially to Recife, when he was 14 years old. He ended up studying economics at the (Federal University of Rio de Janeiro).
The economist maintained relationships with friends and family in Argentina. He didn’t lose his Argentine accent when speaking Portuguese, which he mentions in the book. The intense relationship with the 2 countries was one of the reasons for writing the book.
MILEI GOVERNMENT
The last chapter is the most technical. Analyzes in 68 pages the beginning of the government of Javier Milei (La Libertad Avanza, right) from December 2023.
He states that the president avoided the mistakes of previous governments. It combined fiscal orthodoxy and exchange rate heterodoxy. He cut spending, but kept the exchange rate under control. The country had a nominal surplus in 2024 and 2025. Monthly inflation fell from 25.5% in December 2023, when he took office, to 2.8% in December 2025.
Giambiagi shows that the Argentine head of government has greater power than the Brazilian in several aspects. In Argentina, the decree of necessity and urgency remains valid if it is not analyzed by Congress. In Brazil, the equivalent instrument is the provisional measure, which loses validity if it is not approved within 120 days.
Presidential vetoes must be overturned by 2/3 of the votes in Congress in Argentina. In Brazil, a simple majority is enough. The differences favored the cut of subsidies and public spending during the Milei government.
But Giambiagi criticizes the president for “aggressive stances that border on –to use a euphemism– authoritarianism” Quote to “verbal forcefulness” that Milei uses against opponents.
The economist also cites the fact that other reforms had initial success, but ended in frustration.
PERONISM
The tone of the book is critical of Argentina. It starts with the subtitle in Spanish: “Um País de Películo” (A Country of Film in Portuguese). The meaning is that the country’s history has absurd situations that surpass works of fiction.
The initial part of the book combines personal memories and the historical account of Peronism, the movement created by President Juan Manuel Perón (1895-1974). He was president from 1946 to 1955. He returned to office in 1973 and died in 1974.
The president’s wife, Maria Estela Perón, known as Isabelita, was elected vice-president. She became the first woman president of a country in history in 1974. She was deposed by a military coup in 1976. Currently, Isabelita, aged 95, lives in Spain.
Giambiagi presents himself as an anti-Peronist. He says his narration is not neutral. The book uses a colloquial style that resembles a conversation. Tells pleasant stories. Also others with a strong emotional charge. This is the case of violent disputes between Peronist groups. And state terrorism in the period from 1976 to 1983, in which the military governed the country.
SERVICE
Title: “Argentina for Brazilians”
Pages: 360
Prices: R$89.90 (physical book) and R$62.90 (e-book), Alta Books
Online purchase: , and
