China Signals It Won’t Give an Inch to the U.S. in Latin America

China Signals It Won’t Give an Inch to the U.S. in Latin America is by James T. Areddy and was published in the Wall Street Journal on December 31, 2025. Note: This article is behind a paywall.

Beijing doubles down on its ambitions for the region just as Trump tries to assert dominance over the Western Hemisphere.

Quick Summary:

-China’s new policy paper on Latin America signals increased competition with the U.S. for regional influence.
-Beijing has expanded its Belt and Road Initiative to 24 signatories in the region and displaced the U.S. as a top trading partner.
-The U.S. is concerned about China’s efforts to develop a global network of “strategic support points” for its military.

Preface

At present, changes unseen in a century are accelerating in the world, and a significant shift is taking place in the international balance of power. The Global South stands out with a strong momentum and plays an increasingly important role in human progress. In the meantime, the world is beset by lackluster economic growth, frequent regional conflicts and disturbances, and unilateral bullying undermining international peace and security. Human society is facing unprecedented challenges.

China has realized its First Centenary Goal of building a moderately prosperous society in all respects, and is striving to build a great country and advance national rejuvenation on all fronts through Chinese modernization. China remains firm in pursuing an independent foreign policy of peace, and is dedicated to the common values of humanity. It is implementing the Global Development Initiative (GDI), Global Security Initiative (GSI), Global Civilization Initiative (GCI) and Global Governance Initiative (GGI), and deepening high-quality Belt and Road cooperation. It advocates an equal and orderly multipolar world and a universally beneficial and inclusive economic globalization, and promotes the building of a community with a shared future for humanity.

As a developing country and a member of the Global South, China has always stood in solidarity through thick and thin with the Global South, including Latin America and the Caribbean (LAC).

In recent years, Chinese President Xi Jinping has set forth a series of major initiatives and measures on strengthening the China-LAC relationship and cooperation across the board, adding new dimensions to the relationship. The Chinese government hereby releases China’s third policy paper on LAC to draw experience, plan the future, elaborate China’s policy on LAC, and bring the relations and cooperation between the two sides in various fields to a new level.