US-China Relations Updates

China and Latin America:

In recent years, China’s relationship with Latin America has grown significantly. China has become an increasingly important trade partner for many Latin American countries, particularly in the areas of energy and mining. In 2021, China was the largest trading partner of Brazil, Chile, and Peru, and the second-largest trading partner of Argentina and Mexico.

China has also been investing heavily in infrastructure projects in the region, including ports, railways, and highways. In 2018, China pledged to invest $250 billion in Latin America over the next decade, which has further cemented its economic presence in the region.

However, China’s growing economic influence in Latin America has raised concerns in some quarters about the potential for China to exert political influence in the region. Some have also raised concerns about the environmental and social impacts of Chinese investment in the region.

USA and Latin America:

The United States has traditionally been a major economic and political partner for many countries in Latin America. However, over the past five years, the relationship between the United States and Latin America has been somewhat strained.

Under the Trump administration, the United States took a more confrontational approach to trade and immigration issues with Mexico and other Latin American countries, which led to tensions in the region. The United States also withdrew from the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP), which included several Latin American countries.

Under the Biden administration, the United States has sought to rebuild relationships with Latin American countries and has emphasized the importance of cooperation on issues such as climate change and economic development. However, there are still tensions between the United States and some countries in the region over issues such as immigration, trade, and human rights.

Overall, both China and the United States have been competing for influence in Latin America, and the region has become an important arena for their strategic competition. While China has been expanding its economic presence in the region, the United States remains an important political and security partner,  for many countries in the region.