U.S. Wants China Out of Latin America. Is that Even Possible?

About this episode

The episode discusses the implications of the U.S. efforts to expel China from Latin America, focusing on recent developments in Panama and Peru.

The Panamanian government formally took over the two ports operated by Hong Kong-based CK Hutchison this week at both ends of the Panama Canal. U.S. officials celebrated the move as part of their larger effort to expel China from the Western Hemisphere. Washington has now set its sights on the Chinese-owned Chancay mega port in Peru. But given the extent of Chinese engagement in Latin America, most notably the fact that the region does more than half-a-trillion dollars of trade annually with China, is it even possible for the U.S. to expel the Chinese? Pedro Armada, a Panama City-based risk consultant who closely follows the U.S.-China rivalry in Latin America, joins Eric to discuss what happens next following the expulsion of CK Hutchison from the canal zone and what it means for the rest of Latin America. 📌 Topics covered in this episode: • Panama's takeover of Chinese-operated ports • U.S. pressure on Peru's Chinese-built Chancay port • Trump's Western Hemisphere strategy toward China • Narrative battles and misinformation in Latin America • Trade ties that make decoupling from China difficult • Whether Beijing is waiting out U.S. political cycles Show Notes: The China-Global…

People in this episode

Host: Eric

Guest: Pedro Armada

Topics covered

• U.S.-China rivalry
• Latin America
• trade relations
• geopolitical strategy
• Panama Canal
• Chinese investment

Keywords

• China
• U.S.
• Latin America
• trade
• Panama Canal
• Chancay port
• geopolitics
• CK Hutchison
• Pedro Armada

Mentioned in this episode

Organizations: CK Hutchison, U.S.

Places: Panama, Peru, Western Hemisphere

More episodes of The China-Global South Podcast

• Middle Powers in a Post-American Order · May 8, 2026 · 42 min
• China Moves to Fill U.S. Void in Asia · May 7, 2026 · 40 min
• Is Vietnam Drifting Closer Toward China? · May 5, 2026 · 37 min
• Iran War Boosts China's Energy Strategy · April 30, 2026 · 32 min
• China and the Hidden Politics of Global Aid · April 21, 2026 · 31 min
• U.S.–China Competition in Latin America: Ports, Power, and Politics · March 31, 2026 · 39 min