U.S.–China Competition in Latin America: Ports, Power, and Politics

About this episode

The episode discusses the intensifying U.S.–China competition in Latin America, focusing on infrastructure and economic partnerships.

Long neglected by the United States, Latin America is now on the frontlines of the global contest with China. Washington's new National Security Strategy made it clear that the U.S. must remain the unrivaled hegemonic power in the Western Hemisphere, something it can't do so long as China is the largest trading partner for most Latin American countries. The U.S. is particularly unnerved by the scale of Chinese infrastructure development across the region and the fact that it's becoming a major investor, particularly in larger countries like Brazil. Former Chilean ambassador to China Jorge Heine, now a non-resident fellow at the Quincy Institute, joins Eric to discuss why this competition is accelerating and whether "active non-alignment" remains a viable strategy in this new era of geopolitical competition. 📌 Topics Covered in this Episode The intensifying U.S.–China rivalry in Latin America Washington's push to block Chinese infrastructure projects Strategic battlegrounds: ports, telecom cables, and digital connectivity How Latin American countries are balancing competing pressures The concept of "active non-alignment" in today's geopolitical climate Why China remains an…

People in this episode

Host: Eric Olander

Guest: Jorge Heine

Topics covered

• U.S.–China rivalry
• Latin America
• infrastructure development
• geopolitical competition
• active non-alignment
• economic partnership

Keywords

• U.S.–China competition
• Latin America
• infrastructure
• geopolitics
• active non-alignment
• economic partner
• Chinese investment
• ports
• telecom cables

Mentioned in this episode

Organizations: Quincy Institute, United States, China

Places: Latin America, Brazil, Western Hemisphere

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