China is influential in the US’s backyard. This does not fit with the US claim to power in the region.
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Days later, observers are still wondering what motivated Trump to capture Nicolás Maduro. Trump speaks of “drug terrorism” and access to oil. Experts doubt the validity of both arguments.
If psychological theories about Trump’s motives are too vague for you and if you are not content with pointing out his whims, you can only look at geopolitics.
Venezuelan-Chinese partnership
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After Maduro’s capture, Trump said that Venezuela was “hosting rivals.” Russia, Iran and China cooperate with the regime, with the latter being the most influential.
No country buys more oil from Venezuela than China. Beijing granted loans and linked itself to socialist forces in the region via Caracas. For observers, it is fitting that Trump extends his elbows to the close partner of the greatest US adversary.
“China is good business”
The US President currently often emphasizes that the Western Hemisphere is the US zone of influence, as is also stated in the US security strategy. This means that they are pushing China back, says Günther Maihold, Latin America expert at the Free University of Berlin: “Relations today are strongly focused on the Pacific.”
Putting a good face on the bad game: The US President doesn’t like the fact that China is Latin America’s most important trading partner.
REUTERS/Evelyn Hockstein
China is the largest trading partner in South America. It buys agricultural products from Brazil and Argentina as well as minerals from the Andes and is the most important or second most important supplier of goods in almost all countries.
China’s investments in transport and electricity, which Europe and America did not want to make, are popular, said Maihold. There is little interest in making the USA the central partner again: “China is good business.”
Trumps Interventionismus
In his second term, Trump intervenes. He threatens to seize the Panama Canal, where China is heavily invested. His election interference in Honduras was aimed at turning the country away from China. His tariffs make trade with China more difficult.
However, the connection to China is not always clear. Trump sanctioned Colombia’s President Gustavo Petro. Although he joined China’s Silk Road project, he is also seen as a US opponent in other areas, for example in climate policy. Trump supports like-minded people like Argentina’s Xavier Milei – and wants to rename the Gulf of Mexico.
The Donroe Doctrine
It is debatable how consistently Trump follows strategies. His actions are too erratic, his explanations too varied. Democrats say his poll numbers are a motive. In fact, you can make politics with drugs. And improvisation also seems to play a role in his decisions, adds Maihold.
But Trump is concerned about the zone of influence issue. He likes to talk about US President Monroe. In the 19th century, he was bothered by European colonialism and declared the USA the hegemon in the West.
Today they call it the Donroe Doctrine, says Trump, alluding to his first name. If Trump actually acts accordingly, the USA will want to force China out of the Americas this time.
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