Latin America and the Asian Giants
Robert Devlin, Professorial Lecturer, Latin American Studies Program
R. Evan Ellis, Professor of Latin American Studies at the Strategic Studies Institute in the US Army War College
Francisco González, Associate Professor of Latin American Studies
Mauricio Mesquita Moreira, Principal Economic Advisor of Integration and Trade Sector at Inter-American Development Bank
Riordan Roett, Director of the Latin American Studies Program
November 16, 2016
The Latin American Studies Program hosted a book launch event at the Washington, DC campus featuring Latin America and the Asian Giants: Evolving Ties with China. The book is co-edited by Riordan Roett and Guadalupe Paz. Highlighting the roles of China and India in the growth of Latin American countries, the book’s authors brought their individual areas of expertise to each chapter.
Evan Ellis of the US Army War College discussed the security dimensions of Chinese and Indian involvement in the region. He emphasized that while China’s relationship with Latin America is primarily about economics, trade, and investment, the military component is significant and continues to grow.
Francisco Gonzalez discussed the region’s changing energy landscape and assessed the implications of new Asian players. He highlighted three demand and supply shocks in the 2000s which are essential to understanding Chinese oil demand in Latin America.
Robert Devlin examined Latin American trade with China and India. He explained how the main strategic question is how much attention should be given to the two countries in light of other global and regional opportunities. He concluded that Latin American industrial trade policy should focus on markets where they already have a foothold in terms of diversification, upgrading and value-added commerce.
Mauricio Moreira of the Inter-American Development Bank described the best- and worst-case future scenarios for Latin American trade with China and India. As low commodity prices dampen global economic growth forecasts, Dr. Moreira encouraged Latin American states to enact sound fiscal, monetary, and social policy to improve the region’s prospects during future trade negotiations. He also advised that China and India pursue future trade by harnessing Latin American regional agreements already in place.Video available at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6nGxjxlobPI.