Russian experts: Expelling China from Latin America is the US government's policy
Russian State News Agency, Moscow, January 31 - Dmitry Rosenthal, director of the Institute of Latin American Studies at the Russian Academy of Sciences, told Sputnik that regardless of who is in power in the US government and the domestic political landscape, it will try to push China out of Latin America.
He pointed out that China remains an important participant in the Latin American region. Although former US President Trump's actions have squeezed its space, they have not completely pushed it out of the US's neighboring countries. In this sense, China's entry into Latin America is serious and long-term, and Latin American countries are interested in cooperating with China and its technology and investment. He said that political pragmatism prevails among Latin American politicians.
Rosenthal said: "Expelling China from Latin America is a policy of any US government, whether it is governed by the Republican or Democratic Party. They have complete consensus on this. The difference lies only in the methods they use, but both Republicans and Democrats advocate expelling foreign actors from their neighboring countries."
He also said that China is seen by the US as a serious competitor, and expelling it from Latin America is a traditional component of US policy.
Rosenthal pointed out: "For US strategic culture, it is crucial to push foreign actors out of the Western Hemisphere. Some countries are negatively viewed by the US establishment, such as Cuba, Venezuela, and Nicaragua, precisely because they may provide a foothold for other actors, including Russia and China, to politically and economically penetrate the region."
Rosenthal emphasized that Trump feared competitors expanding their presence in Latin America, so the US has been committed to weakening Cuba, Venezuela, and Nicaragua.
Original: toutiao.com/article/1855798016758795/
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