Neither Hitler nor any other major Nazi leader showed much interest towards South America, except as a warning example of "racial mixing".[114] However, the NSDAP/AO was active in various South American countries (notably among German Brazilians and German Argentines), and trade relations between Germany and the South American countries were seen as of great importance.[115] During 1933–1941, the Nazi aim in South America was to achieve economic hegemony by expanding trade at the expense of the Western Powers.[116] Hitler also believed that German-dominated Europe would displace the United States as the principal trading partner of the continent.[117] Long-term Nazi hopes for political penetration of the region were placed on the local Fascist movements, such as the Integralists in Brazil and right-wing nationalists in Argentina, combined with the political activation of the German immigrant communities.[118][119] Hitler also had hopes of seeing German immigrants "returning" from the Western Hemisphere to colonize the conquered East.[120] Despite being occasionally suspicious of the South American Germans of adopting a "South attitude towards life", top Nazis believed that their experience working in underdeveloped areas would make them ideal settlers for the annexed eastern territories.[121]