Beijing's Influence in the Americas

[Randy W]

. . . from a former senior professional staff member of the Senate Committee on Foreign Relations during the Regan and Bush years and published in the Global Times

 

Beijing's influence means it's welcome to gain foothold in Americas

 

Expanding Chinese relations in the Americas is normal for a major power in an era of globalization. Chinese President Xi Jingping's ongoing visit to Trinidad and Tobago, Costa Rica and Mexico updates China's policy of constructive engagement in the Americas.

There are those in Washington, however, who wring their hands about Chinese commercial and diplomatic activities in North, Central, and South America. Stuck in a Cold War mentality, these critics see a so-called "China threat" not only in Central and South America but also in Canada.

Added to the perceived economic and diplomatic threats are China's relations with progressive governments out of favor with the US such as Venezuela. China's relationship with Brazil, as part of the BRICS group, also raises eyebrows in Washington.

 

. . .

 

President Xi's visit does not ignore smaller countries and meetings with leaders of the Caribbean Community states will naturally be welcomed by them.

Clearly China's presence in the Americas raises a range of issues for Washington. But Cold War thinking is counterproductive. What is needed is a major change of thinking in Washington.

 

. . .

 

A constructive reappraisal of US policy and strategy would make a clean break with the current deeply flawed strategic vision.

A return to the traditional US vision of cooperation in the Americas and in the Pacific with China, Japan, and Russia must be the vision of a forward-looking US policy.