The China Syndrome in Latin America

Since the Monroe Doctrine of 1823, the US has regarded the Western Hemisphere as its own domain. Until the early 21st Century, Latin America was a low priority for China, which viewed the region as too geographically remote to be relevant to the international relationships that preoccupied China. Yet in just the past decade, the Chinese are winning over the hearts and minds of citizens of Latin American countries. Increased Chinese involvement in Latin America is undermining US hegemony, foreign policy and security concerns in the region by promoting better diplomatic relations, economic ties, trade, and military interoperability between China and Latin America. China's interest in Latin America is focused on two key areas; trade for raw materials and diplomatic relations to isolate Taiwan.