In a bid to counter China, Trump hosts a summit for Latin America leaders

"China has quietly eclipsed the United States as the dominant trading partner in parts of Latin America over the past two decades. But since taking office for a second term, United States President Donald Trump has pushed to reverse Beijing's advance through aggressive manoeuvres directed at China's allies in the region."

"Securing meaningful commitments from Latin American leaders will take more than a photo op and vague promises, according to Francisco Urdinez, an expert on regional relations with China at Chile's Pontifical Catholic University. Even among Trump's allies, Urdinez believes significant economic incentives are required."

"What they're really hoping is that Washington backs up the political alignment with tangible economic benefits. Already, the White House has confirmed that nearly a dozen countries will be represented at the weekend summit, including conservative leaders from Argentina, Bolivia, Chile, Costa Rica, Ecuador, El Salvador, and others."

China has become the dominant trading partner in parts of Latin America over the past two decades, surpassing the United States. The Trump administration is pursuing multiple strategies to reverse this trend, including visa revocations for officials with Chinese ties in Costa Rica, Panama, and Chile, threats regarding the Panama Canal, and pressure on Venezuela to halt oil exports to China. However, experts argue that aggressive measures alone are insufficient. Trump is hosting Latin American leaders at Mar-a-Lago for the Shield of the Americas summit, signaling a shift toward diplomatic engagement. Analysts emphasize that securing commitments from regional leaders requires concrete economic benefits and tangible incentives, not merely political alignment or symbolic gestures.

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