Chinese President Xi Jinping pledged on Tuesday to deepen relations with Latin America while condemning “bullying” in a veiled attack on the United States, during a regional forum hosted in Beijing.
Leaders and officials from Latin American and Caribbean countries arrived in the Chinese capital to participate in the China-CELAC Forum (Community of Latin American and Caribbean States).
In recent years, Beijing has strengthened its economic and political cooperation with Latin American countries, calling for a united front against the wave of tariffs imposed by U.S. President Donald Trump.
Latin America has become a major battleground in Trump’s confrontation with China, facing pressure from Washington to choose sides.
In his speech to the region’s leaders, Xi praised the growing ties between China and the countries in the region, stating at the opening ceremony: “Despite the distance between China and Latin America and the Caribbean, the two sides enjoy a rich history of friendly exchanges,” comparing the summit to “a great and resilient tree.” He added, “Only through unity and cooperation can nations protect global peace and stability and promote development and prosperity around the world.”
The Chinese president also committed to providing $9.2 billion in loans to support “development” in Latin American and Caribbean countries as part of a broad range of initiatives aimed at deepening cooperation, including in infrastructure and clean energy. He noted that Beijing would also collaborate with the region to combat terrorism and transnational organized crime, as well as enhance exchanges through grants and training programs.
Xi’s remarks came one day after the U.S. and China announced an agreement to significantly reduce mutual tariffs for 90 days, which Trump described as a “complete reset” of trade relations.
Under the agreement, Washington agreed to reduce tariffs on Chinese products to 30 percent, while China will lower its tariffs to 10 percent.
The agreement marked a significant de-escalation in the fierce trade war between the world’s two largest economies, which had disrupted global markets.
In his speech to the delegations, the Chinese president emphasized that “there are no winners in tariff wars or trade wars,” warning that “bullying and hegemony will only lead to self-isolation.” He added, “The world today is witnessing rapid changes not seen in a century, amid interwoven and intertwined multiple risks.”
Among the notable leaders participating in the forum was Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, who arrived in Beijing for a five-day state visit.
Colombian President Gustavo Petro also attended, announcing last week his intention to sign an agreement to join China’s Belt and Road Initiative, and calling for “dialogue between civilizations” that considers the region’s interests. He stated: “Horizontal dialogue, rather than vertical dialogue, can be free from tyranny and imperialism, and from the back-and-forth between civilizations.”
So far, two-thirds of Latin American countries have joined Beijing’s infrastructure program under the $1 trillion Belt and Road Initiative.
China has surpassed the United States as the largest trading partner for several Latin American countries, including Brazil, Peru, and Chile.
Chilean President Gabriel Boric confirmed during the forum that his country is headed for “a leap forward in its economic relations with China.”
