The Political Economy of China-Latin America Relations in the New Millennium Brave New World

In this book, China-Latin America relations experts Margaret Myers and Carol Wise examine the political and economic forces that have underpinned Chinese engagement in the region, as well as the ways in which these forces have shaped economic sectors and policy-making in Latin America. The contributors begin with a review of developments in cross-Pacific statecraft, including the role of private, state-level, sub-national, and extra-regional actors that have influenced China-Latin America engagement in recent years. Part two of the book examines the variety of Latin American development trajectories borne of China?s growing global presence. Contributors analyse the effects of Chinese engagement on specific economic sectors, clusters (the LAC emerging economies), and sub-regions (Central America, the Southern Cone of South America, and the Andean region). Individual case studies draw out these themes.

This volume is a welcome addition to the growing body of literature on China-Latin America relations. It illuminates the complex interplay between economics and politics that has characterized China?s relations with the region as a second decade of enhanced economic engagement draws to a close. This volume is an indispensable read for students, scholars and policy makers wishing to gain new insights into the political economy of China-Latin America relations.

Table of Contents

Introduction: The Political Economy of China-Latin American Relations in the 21st Century

Carol Wise and Margaret Myers

Part I: Cross-Pacific Statecraft: Aid & Capital Flows from China to Latin America

Chapter 1: One Actor, Many Agents: China’s Latin America Policy in Theory and Practice

Benjamin Creutzfeldt

Chapter 2: Cooperation and Mistrust between China and the US in Latin America

R. Evan Ellis

Chapter 3: China’s Economic Statecraft in Latin America: Evidence from China’s Policy Banks

Kevin P. Gallagher and Amos Irwin

Chapter 4: Chinese Foreign Aid to Latin America: Trying to Win Friends and Influence People

Barbara Stallings

Chapter 5: Chinese Agricultural Investment in Latin America: Less There Than Meets the Eye?

Guo Jie and Margaret Myers

Chapter 6: Chinese-Peruvian Relations in the Mining Sector: Learning Step-by-Step

Cynthia Sanborn and Victoria Chonn Ching

Part II: Development Trends since the Turn of the Millennium: A Critical Assessment

Chapter 7: China and Latin America’s Emerging Economies: Debates, Dynamism, and Dependence

Carol Wise

Chapter 8: The Agropolis: South America, China, and the Soybean Connection

Mariano Turzi

Chapter 9: Central America, China and the US: What Prospects for Development?

Rolando Avendaño and Jeff Dayton-Johnson

Chapter 10: Who Wants What for Latin America? Voices For and Against the China-backed Extractivist Development Model

Adam Chimienti and Benjamin Creutzfeldt

Chapter 11: China-Brazil Economic Relations: Too Big to Fail?

Dawn Elizabeth Powell

Conclusion: Final Reflections on the China-Latin America Relationship

José Luis León (Universidad Metropolitana)

Margaret Myers is Program Director for China and Latin America at the Inter-American Dialogue.

Carol Wise is Associate Professor of International Relations at University of Southern California. She specializes in international political economy and development, with an emphasis on Latin America.