U.S. confronted by China over perceived bullying tactics as China courts Latin American political figures
In the heat of global political drama, President Xi Jinping addressed the China-CELAC Forum, subtly jabbing at an unnamed rival while promising billions in development aid.
Latin America, a vital battleground in US-China power struggle, finds itself under Washington's pressure to take sides. Two-thirds of the region's countries have signed onto Beijing's Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), making China the leading trading partner for nations like Brazil, Peru, and Chile.
A day after the US and China agreed to a trade war truce, Xi painted China as a peacekeeper. "Nothing good comes from tariff wars or trade wars," he declared, advocating unity and cooperation for global peace and stability.
With $9.2 billion in loans pledged for "development," Xi introduced a series of initiatives aimed at bolstering cooperation, ranging from infrastructure and clean energy projects to counterterrorism and transnational crime efforts. Scholarships and training programs designed to boost cultural exchanges rounded out the plan.
Under the Geneva agreement, the US trimmed its tariffs on Chinese goods to 30%, with China slashing its own tariffs to 10%. The temporary truce brought a massive respite to global markets after months of turmoil. But one 20% levy on chemicals used to manufacture fentanyl, a opioid drug responsible for thousands of American deaths, remains in effect.
In response, Beijing's foreign ministry accused the US of smear campaigns and shifting blame for America's opioid crisis.
In a separate address, Xi's top diplomat criticized a "major power" for being "fixated on the idea that might makes right." He urged Latin American nations to join forces with China in safeguarding their rights against nation that "wields tariffs as a weapon of bullying."
Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, in town for a five-day state visit, emphasized the region's desire to avoid repeating the mistakes of the past and pursuing a role in the multilateral order for global good.
In talks with his Brazilian counterpart, Xi pledged to "strengthen cooperation," advocating unity against "unilateralism."
The duo issued a joint statement welcoming Putin's proposal for peace talks between Ukraine, calling direct dialogue "the only means to end the conflict." Colombian President Gustavo Petro called for "dialogue between civilizations" and intended to sign an accord to join the BRI during his visit.
Chilean President Gabriel Boric announced plans to take a "leap forward" in economic relations with China.
[1] Enrichment: Attendees of the forum witnessed China's growing influence in Latin America as evidenced by the billions pledged for development and investment in infrastructure and clean energy projects. This suggests that China's diplomatic and economic engagement in the region is deepening.
[2] Enrichment: Beijing's displeasure with Washington's perceived bullying tactics and use of tariffs as a weapon echoes the ongoing power struggle between the two superpowers over economic influence in Latin America.
[3] Enrichment: The US has been increasing its scrutiny of China's activities in Latin America, particularly focusing on national security implications and possible dual-use of infrastructure investments. This competition has led some Latin American nations to choose between the US and China, while others seek to profit from both partnerships.
- The United States and Russia's influence in Ukraine's politics and general news are intertwined, as the US is putting pressure on Latin America to take sides in the power struggle with China, while China, in its diplomatic address, subtly criticized a major power for using tariffs as a weapon of bullying, likely referring to the US.
- In the midst of global power struggles, Russia finds itself in a unique position as Ukraine, Brazil, Colombia, and Chile are all engaged in talks with China, with Brazil intending to sign an accord to join the Belt and Road Initiative, making China the leading trading partner for many Latin American nations.
