A survey conducted by the Latinobarometro foundation has revealed that for the first time since 1995, China's influence in Latin America is viewed more positively than that of the United States. The survey, which was conducted in 17 countries, showed that 65% of respondents consider China's influence to be positive, compared to 48% six years ago. This shift in perception is attributed to several factors, including China's increasing presence in the region and its offer of affordable imports.
The survey also found that 57% of Latin Americans view US influence positively, compared to 60% in 2020. Costa Rica and the Dominican Republic are the only two countries in the region where US influence is viewed more positively than Chinese influence. The survey's results suggest that Latin Americans are increasingly turning to other global powers, including China, for economic and diplomatic engagement.
According to Marta Lagos, director of the Latinobarometro foundation, the shift in perception is due in part to the "almost complete absence" of the US from the region over the past two decades. During this period, Latin America has sought to engage with other powers, including China, the European Union, and Japan. China's growing influence in the region is also seen as a result of its ability to provide affordable imports.
The survey's findings are significant, as they suggest a shift in the balance of influence in the region. The US has traditionally been a dominant player in Latin America, but China's growing presence is challenging this dominance. The survey's results are also seen as a reflection of the changing global landscape, with emerging powers like China increasingly playing a major role.
The US's declining influence in the region is also attributed to the policies of the Trump administration. The administration's attempts to reassert US dominance in the region, including the introduction of a new doctrine that updates the 19th-century Monroe Doctrine, have been met with skepticism. The survey's results suggest that Latin Americans are increasingly looking to other powers for economic and diplomatic engagement.
China's growing influence in Latin America is also seen as a result of its strategic engagement with the region. China has invested heavily in infrastructure projects and has become a major trading partner for many Latin American countries. The survey's results suggest that this engagement has helped to build a positive perception of China's influence in the region.
The survey's findings have significant implications for the future of US-Latin America relations. The US will need to reassess its engagement with the region and find ways to rebuild its influence. The survey's results also highlight the need for the US to engage in a more nuanced and effective diplomacy in the region, taking into account the changing global landscape and the growing influence of other powers.
Key points
- China's influence in Latin America is viewed more positively than US influence, according to a recent survey.
- The survey's results suggest a shift in the balance of influence in the region, with China increasingly playing a major role.
- The US's declining influence in the region is attributed to its policies and its almost complete absence from the region over the past two decades.
