US must update Latin America toolkit to keep pace with China sway in region, Biden officials say

Washington better served by focusing on economics and other areas to ‘counter malign forms of Chinese and Russian influence’, according to new report

Latin America’s security and prosperity have direct impact on US, official adds, as regional leaders urge greater political engagement from Washington

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US Secretary of State Antony Blinken (left) and Argentine Foreign Minister Diana Mondino presiding at a press conference in Buenos Aires on Friday. Photo: Bloomberg

Published: 5:00am, 28 Feb 2024Updated: 12:25am, 29 Feb 2024

The US needs to update its political, diplomatic and economic toolkit if it wants to keep pace with China in vying for influence in Latin America, several Biden administration officials and representatives from the region said.

The conclusion echoed that of a 36-page report on the subject by the Atlantic Council, a Washington-based think tank that convened an event to discuss the findings on Monday.

Drawing on discussions with regional business leaders, government officials and policymakers, the report argued the US should focus on economics, investment, trade, energy security and migration as well as strengthening democratic institutions.

This was necessary to “counter malign forms of Chinese and Russian influence in Latin America and the Caribbean”, according to the report.

“The security and prosperity of Latin America and the Caribbean have a direct impact on the US,” said Juan Gonzalez, who works on Western hemisphere affairs at the National Security Council.