China Doubles Down as the U.S. Reasserts Hemisphere Control

For decades, Washington viewed Latin America as its natural sphere of influence. However, Beijing now treats the region as critical to its global goals. Consequently, tensions are becoming more visible.

The Trump administration’s national security strategy pledged to restore American dominance in the Western Hemisphere. Although China was not named, the message was widely understood. In fact, many analysts saw it as a direct warning.

Shortly after the strategy was released, China responded. Beijing issued a detailed policy paper on Latin America and the Caribbean. Notably, it was China’s first major update in nearly a decade.

The document argues that global power dynamics are shifting. Moreover, it echoes President Xi Jinping’s view that U.S. dominance is declining. Therefore, China frames deeper cooperation with the Global South as inevitable.