Can Joe Biden’s economic package overcome Americas summit exclusion row?
- China chides rival for ‘lack of respect’ in not inviting Cuba, Venezuela and Nicaragua to Los Angeles event aimed at countering Beijing’s influence
- US hopes comprehensive economic partnership plans and other initiatives will not be undercut by guest list kerfuffle
The package, known as the Americas Partnership for Economic Prosperity, aims to reinvigorate economic institutions, bolster supply chains, strengthen links between governments and their electorates, create jobs and boost trading links in the US’ backyard, according to a senior administration official.
It will be presented at the Summit of the Americas, which has been under fire since Cuba, Venezuela and Nicaragua were left off the guest list because of their history of human rights violations, jailing of political opponents and election interference.
China – which enjoys strong relations with the three left-leaning nations – was quick to chide its rival.
“The US, as the host of the upcoming summit, needs to stop going its own way or forcing its will on others. It should instead show due respect,” Chinese foreign ministry spokesman Zhao Lijian said on Monday. “Putting itself above and bullying other countries for the selfish interests of the US will not be well-received.”
Cuban President Miguel Diaz-Canel said last month he would not attend even if invited, accusing the United States of “brutal pressure” to make the meeting exclusive. And his Mexican counterpart Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador announced on Monday he would boycott the summit over the exclusions.