| This paper is intended to investigate the extent to which the People's Republic of China harbors future energy security aspirations in Latin America, and to what degree the United States ought to be concerned. In courting Latin America, China aims to satiate its growing energy demands, and likewise combat the influence of its political nemesis Taiwan for suitors. The United States, distracted by war and financial hardship, has long neglected its neighbors, and could potentially lose further influence beside a rising China. However, Sino-Latin American trade imbalances, coupled with Latin America's traditionally geostrategic preference for American commercial markets will likely inhibit Chinese inroads, and ultimately serve to benefit continued American regional predominance. Case studies involving Venezuela, a quasi-political ally of the People's Republic, and Brazil, an emerging trade juggernaut, will highlight the various challenges involved in PRC-Latin interests. |
