Final answer:
South America has potential as a manufacturing and trade center, but historical colonization impacts, fragmentation, and strong external trade relations have limited its unified economic presence. Brazil exemplifies potential for regional integration, but cohesive trade initiatives face political and historical challenges.
Step-by-step explanation:
While South America has significant economic potential and resources, its role as a major manufacturing and trade center has been challenged by various factors. For example, the economic patterns established during colonial times did not prioritize the formation of an integrated continental trade network among the South American countries. Instead, external countries have often exploited the continent's resources, and trade agreements have historically been with partners outside of South America, like the United States and European countries.
Brazil stands out as a central player economically and geographically within South America, offering great potential for integration by combining different sectors across the continent. However, historical fragmentation and competition during colonization have left a legacy of division. Attempts to create cohesive trade blocs like Mercosur have been hindered by varied political relationships between countries, and their individual trade agreements, such as Chile's with NAFTA countries.
In stark contrast, metropolitan areas in South America are rapidly growing, becoming connected with global markets and adopting the latest technologies. Nevertheless, disparities in trade balances and an emphasis on exports of cash crops and natural resources over industrial development have traditionally limited South America's position as a major global manufacturing hub.