Evan Ellis - China, the US, and Latin America: Pursuing Self-Interest Shouldn’t Imply Self-Destructive Choices
Dear Colleague,
Although you just heard from me on the challenges and opportunities of President Javier Milei’s new government in Argentina, today I have the privilege to share an important work on Latin America’s choices regarding its relationship with the PRC.
This think-piece was originally published in Spanish by InfoBAE, based on a presentation I delivered in Santiago, Chile…It has now been updated and republished by Dialogo magazine, in English, Spanish and Portuguese.
The work takes on the common misconception that Latin America’s pursuit of its “self-interest” implies that it should treat the PRC and the United States as “competing suitors,” seeking embrace as many “gifts” and attention from both as it can.
I make the case that Latin America should regard itself better than a recipient of “gifts” and think about itself in terms of the healthiness of the long-term relationships it is forming, and what those relationship imply for the future economic and democratic health of its societies. Governments of the region to consider all “offers” within the framework of transparency, rule of law, and technically competent evaluations of what is being offered, and the record of who is offering it of actually delivering, while complying with national laws, environmental, and social imperatives. More is not always better. Before jumping at superficially attractive, but risky offers, Latin American (like all) governments must also reflect on limits in their own abilities to evaluate offers and contracts, manage difficult companies, and enforce laws against companies with a track record of predatory behavior and seeking their own advantage where they can.
In short, I argue that, as in relationships between people, Latin America’s “self-interest” (and self-respect) isn’t about who offers the shiniest gift…but after an honest evaluation of the match between self and suitor…who is the best partner for growing together in the ways Latin America wants and needs to grow.
The article is available here for download in English:
in Portuguese
and in Spanish:
It is also available from the organizations which published each work:
In English, from Dialogo:
https://dialogo-americas.com/articles/china-the-u-s-and-latin-america-pursuing-self-interest-shouldnt-imply-self-destructive-choices/
In Portuguese, from Dialogo:
https://dialogo-americas.com/pt-br/articles/a-china-os-eua-e-a-america-latina-a-busca-do-interesse-proprio-nao-deve-implicar-em-escolhas-autodestrutivas/
In Spanish, From Dialogo:
https://dialogo-americas.com/es/articles/china-estados-unidos-y-america-latina-perseguir-el-interes-propio-no-debe-implicar-opciones-autodestructivas/
And in its original Spanish-language form from InfoBAE:
https://www.infobae.com/america/opinion/2023/10/26/china-estados-unidos-y-america-latina-perseguir-el-interes-propio-no-debe-implicar-opciones-autodestructivas/.
Podcast and Radio Shows:
As always, I would also like to share with you the links to my latest podcasts. These include segments on the John Batchelor Show, in his special ongoing series on Latin America, The New World Report. You may find these weekly podcasts, which we have been doing regularly for well over a year now, as a useful analysis of key events in the region. The full list is available on my website:
https://www.revanellis.com
The latest episodes are:
Milei Domestic Challenges: December 12: https://audioboom.com/posts/8415551-newworldreport-milei-takes-command-and-presses-ahead-for-dollarization-despite-pain-latin-amer
Milei Foreign Challenges: December 12: https://audioboom.com/posts/8415553-newworldreport-father-and-son-bolsonaro-attended-the-inauguration-lula-da-silva-and-gustavo-p
Venezuela-Guyana and Guatemala: December 12: https://audioboom.com/posts/8415554-newworldreport-venezuela-rushes-guyana-to-a-parley-december-14-latin-american-research-profes
Manuel Rocha Espionage Case: December 12: https://audioboom.com/posts/8415555-newworldreport-an-alleged-cuba-spy-at-the-state-department-what-is-to-be-done-latin-american
Website for all Publications:
As always, at my professional website you can access the present, and all of my past publications, as well as select webinars and podcasts:
https://revanellis.com/
I am pleased to announce that the website now has its own search engine and improved functionality for browsing and accessing my older articles, thanks to a gift by my brilliant son and Information Technology professional, Brandon Ellis.
Book on China-Latin America:
My latest book, China Engages Latin America: Distorting Development and Democracy, is available through my publisher Palgrave-Macmillan, at:
https://link.springer.com/book/10.1007/978-3-030-96049-0
Please feel free to share this post with a friend or colleague. If you would like to be included in my (always free) distribution list, I welcome the opportunity to include you:
Thank you, as always, for your interest in my work.
Respectfully,
R. Evan Ellis, PhD
Latin America Research Professor
U.S. Army War College Strategic Studies Institute
@REvanEllis
Website: https://revanellis.com