Both the positive aspects and the limits of Chile’s relationship with China merit further attention by other nations in the Western Hemisphere, both in terms of how to achieve benefits from engaging with China through strong, transparent institutions and what to guard against.
The December 2019 inauguration of President Alberto Fernández and Vice President Cristina Fernández de Kirchner in Argentina returned to power a Peronist government that has not only moved the nation in an increasingly left-populist direction, but has also opened the door for a substantial deepening of the country’s already significant relationship with the People’s Republic of China (PRC).
Data from the AmericasBarometer survey shows that Latin Americans’ faith in the U.S. government and democracy has declined while their trust in the Chinese government has risen along with regional concern over insecurity and corruption.
Instead of attempting to counter Chinese influence in the region, U.S. officials and policymakers should focus on providing suitable alternatives to Caribbean states, shifting to a more cooperative approach in the region.
System dynamics involves the representation and analysis of chains of causal relationships between physical, political, social, and commercial interactions that may help to understand how a number of complex forces will affect Latin America during 2021.
As Peru wrestles with political turmoil and seeks to recover from the economic and financial effects of the pandemic, China appears well-poised to significantly expand its commercial presence and associated political influence in the country.
Brazil faces pressure from both the U.S. and China as it decides whether to accept the alluring, but potentially risky, opportunity to build out its national 5G technology with Huawei, a major industry provider of the service.
Looking to a post-COVID-19 future, Chinese and Brazilian economic ties will likely grow stronger. The United States and other Brazilian trade partners will need to think creatively to offer alternatives that remain competitive.
A Chinese fishing fleet off the coast of Ecuador caught headlines and the attention of Washington. The situation was swiftly resolved through Ecuador’s collective diplomatic action
Though not often discussed, Latin America is an important battleground for China’s tech industry. Through the PRC’s growing influence, it seeks to set standards and dominate global markets.
