My TakeDangers ahead as Washington tries to roll back China in Latin America
American ‘hegemonism’ may be in decline as more countries in Western hemisphere partner with Beijing, but that doesn’t mean the US won’t try
Last week, Chinese foreign ministry spokesman Lin Jian blasted the United States for practising “hegemonism and power politics” across Latin America. He characterises it as the return of the 19th century Monroe Doctrine.
That’s pretty apt. The doctrine used to mean Latin America was off limits to the old European imperial powers. Another way of stating or practising it meant the entire region was America’s backyard, or sphere of influence, against the Soviet Union in the 20th century.
Now, China is the new power that needs to be deterred in Latin America.
China
China has become the region’s second-largest trading partner after the United States. Actually, it is the largest – with US$247 billion in trade in 2022, compared with America’s US$173 billion – if you take Mexico out of the equation. That’s because Mexico alone accounts for most of Latin American trade with the US.
But, Mexico is increasingly asserting its independence from the Americans. And, to Washington’s chagrin, at least 20 countries in the region have already joined China’s Belt and Road Initiative. Brazil may be next.
Commenting on the Belt and Road Initiative, General Laura Richardson, head of the US Southern Command, told the House Armed Services Committee in the US Congress last year: