President Biden’s critics believe he’s guilty of treason. Now there’s more evidence.
Because President Biden’s intentionally let a disaster brew that will put America’s national security at risk.
A major concern for U.S. national security officials in the past couple years has been China’s growing influence economically and militarily around the world. The American public was particularly alarmed when a Chinese spy balloon was discovered to be flying over American airspace without the Biden administration’s knowing for weeks.
Since then, the Biden administration has tried to address some of these concerns, but many believe he’s failing thus far. The Chinese Communist Party is unfazed by the heightened interest of the U.S. federal government in stopping Chinese influence from spreading around the world.
Amid the Biden administration’s global maneuvers to counter China’s expanding influence, experts and lawmakers caution that China’s grip on Latin America has quietly tightened.
Last week, Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi convened with counterparts in Argentina and Bolivia, affirming their commitment to bolstering relations and opposing perceived hegemony. This move highlights Beijing’s dedication to “South-South cooperation,” as noted by The Council on Foreign Relations. Meanwhile, concerns mount over the Biden administration’s failure to cultivate strong ties with Latin American nations, potentially pushing them closer to Beijing’s orbit.
House Foreign Affairs Committee Chair Michael McCaul emphasized the need for a clear-eyed assessment of China’s encroachment in the Western Hemisphere. The CCP’s proactive engagement in the region demands heightened U.S. involvement to counter malign intentions.
While the Biden administration confronts China on various fronts globally, Latin America emerges as a critical battleground. China’s economic presence in the region has burgeoned significantly, transforming it into Latin America’s second-largest trading partner. Concerns loom over the region’s growing economic dependence on China, with Beijing extending substantial sovereign credit.
Andres Martinez-Fernandez of The Heritage Foundation underscores the strategic advantages China gains in cultivating influence in Latin America. As Beijing sharpens its engagement, Washington’s historical neglect of the region exacerbates the situation.
“Building influence in Latin America offers Beijing several strategic advantages to both strengthen China and undermine the United States,” a senior official from The Heritage Foundation shared with reporters.
“The Biden administration has taken Washington’s historical inattention to Latin America to unthinkable levels, even as Beijing sharpens its engagement.”
Latin America features prominently in China’s Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), facilitating infrastructure development and trade networks. However, critics warn of debt trap diplomacy as host nations grapple with unsustainable debt burdens.
China’s initiatives extend beyond economics, encompassing military cooperation and intelligence infrastructure. Venezuela’s significant arms purchases from China exemplify Beijing’s military outreach in the region.
Despite China’s longstanding efforts in Latin America, the Biden administration’s perceived neglect has allowed Beijing to advance further. Gordon Chang points to Biden’s actions, suggesting they inadvertently facilitated China’s deeper engagement.
Brazil’s alignment with China, exemplified by Lula da Silva’s presidency, further complicates U.S. interests. Suggestions emerge for the revival of the Monroe Doctrine to counter China’s expanding footprint in the region.
Additionally, Chang proposes fostering stronger economic and political ties with Latin American nations to counter China’s influence effectively. Initiatives such as liberalizing free-trade agreements and prioritizing intra-regional commerce could mitigate reliance on China and strengthen regional ties.
▶️FM Wang Yi: The Global South is no longer the “silent majority,” but a key force for reforming the international order and a source of hope as the world undergoes profound changes unseen in a century. pic.twitter.com/ypOrMAj0Lj
— Spokesperson发言人办公室 (@MFA_China) March 7, 2024
Experts say that in confronting China’s growing influence in Latin America, a multifaceted approach combining diplomatic, economic, and strategic measures is imperative.
Whether the Biden administration is able to correctly approach the growing Chinese communist problem is yet to be seen.
Stay tuned to the DC Daily Journal.
