US Hegemony in Latin America: Think Tanks and the Formation of Consensus about the Chinese Presence

Wietchikoski, Luciana; Milani, Livia Peres

doi:10.1590/0034-7329202400101

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Article • Rev. Bras. Polít. Int. 67 (1) • 2024 • https://doi.org/10.1590/0034-7329202400101 copy

US Hegemony in Latin America: Think Tanks and the Formation of Consensus about the Chinese Presence

Authorship SCIMAGO INSTITUTIONS RANKINGS

Abstract

In recent years, U.S. government agencies have defined the Chinese presence in Latin America as a challenge, which has organized foreign policy towards the region. Departing from a neo-Gramscian approach, this paper investigates the bibliographical production of U.S. think tanks and seeks to understand the construction of consensus about the Chinese presence in Latin America. The methodology is based on content analysis and we identified two main narratives: in the first, the Chinese presence is presented as a threat to U.S. regional hegemony; in the second, the Chinese adaptation to liberal precepts is sought. There are therefore nuances in how the Chinese power is perceived, although the discourses remain restricted to the promotion of capitalism and neoliberalism under U.S. leadership.

Hegemony; think tanks; U.S. foreign policy; Latin America

	Narrative 1	Narrative 2
Geopolitics, threat and influence	China is described as an economic, commercial, and strategic power, with geopolitical implications. Some of the adjectives used are challenge, rival, competitor and threat, and economic partner.	China is described as a crucial source of finance and capital, an economic and financial partner for LA. It is thought of as a great power that behaves like one.
Relations with regimes rivaled by Washington	Relations between China and Venezuela are highlighted by this narrative and there was speculation that China would support a regime transition, but there was also a perception of Chinese interests in maintaining an anti-US government.	A topic of more limited attention, it is argued that China engages with governments of all political stripes. There is recognition of the Venezuelan government as problematic and a perception that China would be pragmatic in its relations with the country.
Economy and trade	Chinese economic engagement is seen as a source of influence. There are concerns about security implications, including espionage, access to land, and political influence, as well as economic exploitation and increased dependency.	The theme most emphasized by this narrative. Economy and trade are seen as the primary drivers of China-Latin America relations. The Chinese financing model is seen as different and riskier than the Western one.
Benefits to Latin America	In general, there are no perceived benefits for Latin America from its engagement with China.	There are perceived benefits for the region, since China would be a source of capital. There are also perceived costs, especially related to environmental issues and socio-political conflicts.

Centro de Estudos Globais da Universidade de Brasília Centro de Estudos Globais, Instituto de Relações Internacionais, Universidade de Brasília, Campus Universitário Darcy Ribeiro, Brasília - DF - 70910-900 - Brazil, Tel.: + 55 61 31073651 - Brasília - DF - Brazil
E-mail: rbpi@unb.br

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