China has long supplyed oil, iron ore, soybeans and other commodities in Latin America, a growth driver for many Latin American countries. This is also the frustration of those who hope to develop their economy and export more through mining and agricultural products.
Chinese leader Xi Jinping tried to prove that he was listening. He wanted to expand cooperation in “emerging regions” including clean energy, telecommunications and artificial intelligence at a gathering of Latin American leaders and officials in Beijing on Tuesday.
Mr. XI did not mention President Trump in his remarks to representatives of Latin American and Caribbean communities the day after China and the United States announced a temporary reduction in punitive tariffs. But Xi Jinping said China is the most reliable partner in a turbulent world, and he has also deployed the topic in recent visits to Southeast Asian countries and other diplomatic conferences.
Mr. XI told the audience, including Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lulada Silva and Chilean President Gabriel Boric, Mr. XI told the audience: “China will increase its imports of high-quality products from Latin American and Caribbean countries and encourage its businesses to expand investment in the region.” Xi Jinping said in the face of a “wave of unilateralism and protectionism,” China is ready to help.
Other leaders also indirectly mentioned the Trump administration’s tariff threats and other pressures. “We are here to reiterate that multilateralism and dialogue rather than unilateral expropriation is a way to deal with the challenges facing humanity,” Porick said at the meeting.
Mr. XI did not give much detail in his noble speech, which shows his interest in China’s legacy – also proposed a “cooperative study” of ancient Chinese and Latin American civilizations.
But in Beijing on Monday, Mr. Lula claimed to have had success in attracting Chinese investors to Brazil. Lula’s office said Chinese companies announced they would invest about $4.7 billion there, including expanded auto manufacturing and renewable energy sources such as wind and solar. He also highlighted a proposed Brazil-China partnership to launch low-orbit satellites so that Brazilians in remote areas can connect to the internet. The proposal will be a potential competitor to Elon Musk’s interstellar links in these regions. Huawei is a Chinese telecom giant and is already very important in Brazil.
“Chinese officials are somewhat shocked by the Trump administration’s confidence in Latin America,” said Ryan Berg, director of the Americas program at the Washington Center for Strategic and International Studies. Since taking office, U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio has visited at least eight Latin American and Caribbean countries and said the region will be his priority, including where to oppose China’s influence.
Mr. Trump accused China of controlling the Panama Canal. Under pressure, a Hong Kong company sold two of its port facilities on the canal, which attracted criticism from Beijing. Xi Jinping did not mention the controversy – except for the skewed reference.
Xi Jinping said China supports Latin American and Caribbean countries to “defend their sovereignty and independence and oppose external intervention.” “In the 1960s, large-scale gatherings were held throughout China to support the Panamanian people in regaining sovereignty on the Panama Canal.”
Anna Ionova In Rio de Janeiro and Sabrina Duque Contributed reports in Taipei.
