A Study Of U.S. Energy Investment In Latin America

Energy is a critical component in U.S.-Latin America relations.Although the United States and Latin America are both blessed with abundant energy resources,they rely on each other in energy production and trade.Energy investment is also one of the most important ways for both to pursue energy security and economic development.The shale boom in the United States caused world oil prices to drop significantly,which consequently transformed world energy landscape and flows of energy Foreign Direct Investment in Latin America.For Latin American countries who rely heavily on energy revenue,energy cooperation and investment with the U.S.has also been influenced significantly by U.S.energy policy during different U.S.administrations.This is particularly evident under the Trump Administration,as many changes of policies regarding energy brought challenges to U.S.energy investment in Latin America,and such changes may further the shifts of energy investment scenarios between both sides.Along with such changes,Latin American countries have also been staring at economic and political challenges and uncertainties domestically.However,there remains opportunities.Renewable energy investment may offer a new direction for other countries,in addition to the United States,to invest in Latin America and thus create a new dynamic for Latin America's energy sector.The thesis analyzes U.S.energy investment in Latin America in three chapters.The first chapter illustrates the importance of energy in U.S.-Latin America relations.The United States and Latin America rely on each other on energy and have a long history of energy cooperation.Energy investment is not only a strategic consideration for the United States to realize energy security,but also a lever for the Latin America to develop its energy sector.The second chapter further studied the history and the evolution of U.S.energy policy under different administrations,and pointed out that the essence of U.S.energy policy and investment has always been achieving its energy security and energy dominance.The third chapter analyzed the new scenario and concluded the new trend of U.S.energy investment in Latin America.