China-Latin America partnership good for all

The United States, of late, has raised concerns over the growing relationship between China and Latin America. China has been the second-biggest trade partner of Latin America since 2014. It is the biggest trade partner of Peru, Brazil, Chile and Uruguay, and is a growing foreign investor in the region, not only in the natural resources sector, but also in industry, agriculture, infrastructure and service sectors. China also gives aid and loans to several countries in the region.

The US, especially President Donald Trump and his administration, should not complain about these developments because its actions are what prompted Latin America to look for alternative partners. Washington has adopted a protectionist agenda that is affecting many Latin American countries. The US is renegotiating the North American Free Trade Agreement, especially with Mexico and Canada. It has pulled out of the Trans-Pacific Partnership agreement (in which Chile, Mexico and Peru were members). And it is setting up trade and immigration barriers.

Traditionally, the US has regarded Latin American as its backyard. But now Latin America has established economic relations with other regions and countries that are growing faster, such as Asia, especially China.