Beijing Turns Its Eye Toward Latin America

The uncertain tariff situation with the United States seems to have impelled Beijing to reach out to other regions of the world, most pointedly Latin America.

Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva speaks during the opening ceremony of the Fourth Ministerial Meeting of the Forum of China and Community of Latin American and Caribbean States (CELAC) in Beijing on May 13, 2025. Pedro Pardo/AFP via Getty Images

Commentary

Despite the pause in President Donald Trump’s tariff pressure on China, Beijing knows how vulnerable its economy is to a trade war with the United States. In an effort to find alternatives to the American relationship, China has launched a charm offensive the world over, most pointedly in Washington’s backyard, in Latin America.