China in Latin America - Part 1

In 2000, China's trade with Latin America amounted to $12 billion. By 2019, the number had grown to a staggering $330 billion

• China's involvement in Latin America clearly seems to be translating into control, and not just of national resources.
• In the past four years, the Dominican Republic, El Salvador, Panama, and Colombia have switched their recognition from Taiwan to China
• Brazil entered an agreement with China for the construction of Brazil's longest cable sea bridge linking the city of Salvador to the island of Itaparica
• Chinese state-owned companies behind the bridge will control it for 30 years after its completion
• Through China Merchants Ports, also owns and operates Brazil's important second largest container terminal

China-Peru Relationship

• China is Peru's second-largest trading partner, supplies it with 27% of its copper exports, and Chinese mining companies play a key role in Peru's mining industry.
• Chile joined China's Belt and Road initiative in 2018, and China is the number one market for its fruit and wine exports.

In Colombia, work on Bogota's first metro line began in August

• China is also building in Colombia a suburban tram line, a new highway in the south, and has sold Colombia an entire fleet of Chinese-made electric buses.
• The United States is still Colombia's main trading partner, and China's growing involvement in the country may well change that equation in the longer term.

"It is not necessary to show malevolent PRC intentions with respect to its activities in Latin America and the Caribbean to conclude that the current and long-term implications of that engagement are grave for prosperity, democracy, and liberties in the region, as well as the security and strategic position of the United States."

• China's pursuits in Latin American and Caribbean are consistent with what it seeks globally: secure sources of commodities and foodstuffs, reliable access to markets for its goods and services, strategic technologies and related capabilities.

 

https://www.gatestoneinstitute.org/18050/china-latin-america