The Strategic Implications of China's Growing Influence in Latin America

China's presence and influence in Latin America has mushroomed over the last decade. China's sudden economic emergence has sent shockwaves through the region. While America's attention was on Iraq and Afghanistan, China has significantly increased its economic, political, military, cultural, and diplomatic ties with the region. After analysis, it is clear that the focus of China's growing involvement in Latin American is not specifically to limit U.S. hegemony in the region, but is a serious cause for concern. China seeks to counter-balance the American pivot to Asia by having its own allies in the Western Hemisphere. China's specific objectives in Latin America are to secure raw materials for their ever-expanding economy, provide access to new markets for its manufactured products, and to seek support in the pursuit of its One China policy with Taiwan. Increased Chinese military engagement in Latin America supports these objectives and provides China with strategic depth in case of hostilities with the America. China's improved relationships and economic ties with countries in the region have an indirect effect of undermining traditional U.S. hegemony. Consequently, this reduces the U.S. ability to influence policies in the region, allowing China greater worldwide influence.