Martín Pérez Le-Fort:“The US views China’s increased presence in Latin America with suspicion”

By David Azócar

Martín Pérez Lefort, director of the Centro Asia Pacífico of the Institute of International Studies (Universidad de Chile), believes the US views China as a strategic competitor for hegemony in Latin America.  

The Asia-Pacific scholar’s article, “Chinese-Latin American Relations in the Framework of US Hegemony and Their Impact on ABC (Argentina, Brazil and Chile)”, was recently included in a book entitled China and Latin America. Perspectives on China’s Emerging Role in the Region. His interview follows:

What is the major theme of the book?

It is basically about understanding China-Latin America relations, and not solely from an economics point of view. It also addresses international relations. To understand where things are headed and, as such, the book seeks to explain the increases of Chinese investment and other issues related to same. 

What is the problem from the US point of view?

There seems to be a level of apprehension regarding China’s insertion into the region. We are positioned in a triangle in which the US is seeking to convince us that China’s interests are not as benign as they would have us believe.

One chapter posits that, whereas the Chinese are intervening in African politics, we may ask ourselves whether or not they are planning the same in Latin America and Chile. In the anglosphere, there is a pervading perception that China does not play fair. There were even reactions about security issues.    This is to say, given the United States’ self-imposed limitations, the Chinese will begin to occupy these very vacuums. There is even a possibility that the Chinese may begin training armed forces in the region. 

Clearly, they view us as a source of raw materials. But they do not see just one Latin America. Rather, they see one which liberal and another which is socialist-populist, as in the case of Chavez in Venezuela. From an economic standpoint, Brazil is the most important. As regards Chinese sympathies, some circles consider Chavez to be a true hero, but they restrain their approval due to their desire to avoid conflicts with the US. Were they to align themselves too closely with Chavez, it may provoke an overreaction from Americans.

The Chinese constantly promote a view in Latin America that their entrance into the region is a win-win situation. They are betting on the moderate regimes like Brazil, who have shown themselves capable of maintaining a more balanced relationship with the US. China, in this sense, seems to be selling itself as an alternative with a low strategic cost, because it can sign an FTA without major impact on its own economy; but may affect ABC (intraregional) FTAs.

Is the US take on China justified?

It is an overreaction due to their view of Chavez and the fact that they view China as a possibly opportunistic actor in the region. They view themselves as the premier power broker in the world and don’t look favorably on these types of issues.

What changes in posture might a new Republican or Democratic administration bring about?

Here is an area where there a some ambiguities. We have two people who are fairly centrist. McCain, who sounds extremely Democrat, and Obama, who is quite pragmatic.  

Policies toward China, from either camp, will be moderate. With McCain we will definitely see a strengthening of the Taiwanese issue as regards the opening of strategic dialogue, while still maintaining a strong hegemony in East Asia. 

Obama, on the other hand, should try to get a more open dialogue going with China. I am more optimistic about him ending up with a friendly relationship with China. Also, Obama is less likely to view China as a military competitor. Without going to far into the issue, there are many in the US who view China as a paper tiger, who is adept at bluffing.

What must be understood though is that, within this triangulation including Chinese and US interests, Latin America is not necessarily the most important interest. Central and South Asia may be more relevant due to the magnitude of human resources and commodities. Furthermore, Africa has authoritarian regimes which eased Chinese entry into the region. 

The book, China in Latin America: A New Perspective on China’s Role in the Region, was recently released in Mexico and China. It should be on shelves in Chile by year’s end.