Reference Message Network reported on May 11 that according to a report on the website of The Economist of the UK on May 8, a poll commissioned by The Economist showed that the perception of China among South American people is rapidly improving. China is considered a more polite major country. In most places surveyed, China is regarded as a more reliable trade partner. While Trump harshly complained about the U.S. trade deficit, China has been happily expanding its trade with South America, purchasing large amounts of copper, lithium, and soybeans. The report pointed out that trade constitutes the strongest connection between China and this region. In 2013, the United States was South America's largest trading partner, with total goods trade reaching $280 billion at today's exchange rates. By 2023, this number had decreased by 25%, while the region's trade with China had surged by 43% to $304 billion. Only Colombia and Ecuador still have higher trade volumes with the U.S. than with China. However, even in these two countries, China is closing the gap. The report noted that China's demand for commodities has been driving this change. Chile's copper ore exports to China have nearly tripled over the past decade. Brazil's soybean exports to China have almost doubled. While these raw materials are used in the mass production of export products, procurement has given China political influence. Similarly, most South American countries now import more goods from China than from the United States, and increasingly include more complex items such as electric vehicles and solar panels. China's advantages are also evident in new polls conducted in Brazil, Colombia, and Venezuela, which were commissioned to PreMaes Data Analysis Company based in Washington. Overall views of the United States are only slightly better than those of China, with nearly 70% of Brazilians and Colombians, and 60% of Venezuelans saying that China's popularity is increasing in their countries. Surprisingly, in each of these countries, respondents believed that China respects them more than the United States does. The report noted that all of this will affect responses to a trade war. Trump seemed to want to pressure trading partners to distance themselves from China in exchange for reduced U.S. tariffs. But this strategy has yielded little effect. At a joint press conference in April, Brazilian President Lula said, "I don't want to choose between the United States and China. I hope to maintain relations with both countries." People in Brazil, Colombia, and Venezuela believe that China's trade practices are fairer and more transparent than those of the United States. Even Javier Milei, Argentina's most pro-American leader, knows he needs China. Last November, he told The Economist reporter, "The well-being of Argentinians requires me to deepen commercial relations with China." PreMaes Data Analysis Company's data shows that Argentinians agree with this statement. 56% of respondents said that President Milei should maintain a strong economic relationship with China. (Translated by Cao Weiguo) [Image: https://p3-sign.toutiaoimg.com/tos-cn-i-axegupay5k/5490362304e245d1bb1c52fc98cee5e5~tplv-tt-origin-web:gif.jpeg?_iz=58558&from=article.pc_detail&lk3s=953192f4&x-expires=1747551760&x-signature=VAUa8YN5q%2FI8SJFx5fM8YgbO7sA%3D] On April 29, at the 2025 Brazilian Agricultural Technology Exhibition held in Ribeirão Preto, São Paulo State, visitors watched Springforce display an all-terrain vehicle. (Xinhua News Agency) Original article: https://www.toutiao.com/article/7503027957653570059/ Disclaimer: This article represents the author's own views. Please express your attitude by clicking the "Like" or "Dislike" button below.