Biden bets on Latin America to counter the weight of China

A delegation from the government Joe Biden Travel this week to Latin america To explore investment projects in its public works United State can counteract the effect China in the region.

Deputy Counsellor National Security For the international economy, Dalip Singh led an inter-enterprise group that visited Colombia, Ecuador and Panama, I mentioned on Friday White House.

The aim of the tour was to “listen directly to a variety of stakeholders Latin American In order to better understand the infrastructure needs within these countries and in the region,” explained Emily Horne, a spokeswoman National Security Council (NSC) Biden.

The trip is part of the initiative B3W, the English abbreviation for “Rebuilding a better worldLaunched by the US President in June jointly with G7 leaders, Collection major industrial powersThe spokeswoman said in a statement.

The B3W It is offered as an alternative tonew silk road” from China, also known as BR According to its English initials, in 2013 the Asian giant proposed gaining global weight with the development of infrastructure in low- and middle-income countries.

Biden took up the issue recently United Nations General AssemblyPromising to allocate “hundreds of billions of dollars” with the private sector and other countries G7 (Germany, Canada, France, Italy, Japan, United Kingdom).

“If done the right way…infrastructure can be a solid foundation that allows societies in low- and middle-income countries to grow and prosper,” the president said at the time.

Horn said that United State Seeks to work with countries that participate in Democratic valuesTo finance and develop infrastructure in a manner that is transparent, environmentally sustainable and respectful of labor protection.

“This visit showed the president’s commitment,” he added Biden To strengthen our relationships with Latin america and reducing the massive gaps in physical, digital and human infrastructure that have widened due to the pandemic COVID-19A spokeswoman for the National Security Council said.

‘Crucial Investments’

employment ColombiaAnd Ecuador And PanamaThe delegation met with the presidents Evan DuqueAnd Guillermo Laso And Laurentino Cortizo, all close to WashingtonAs well as with members of its coffers.

In particular, he spoke with the Colombian Ministry of Health about the government’s efforts to expand vaccine production capacity, according to White House.

He also held meetings with representatives Panama Canal Authority, entrepreneurs in the private sector and leaders of the environment, employment and civil society.

Benjamin Gaddan, Deputy Director of the Latin America Program at Wilson Center, a Washington-based think tank, highlighted the attack Biden in the region.

“These investments are critical to the impact United State employment Latin america, Where business links with China “They’re getting deep,” he said on Twitter.

And he added: “Uruguay He wants a free trade agreement with Beijing, And Mexico, despite the massive trade deficit with China, clap for the benefit China in a TPP“, The Trans Pacific Economic Cooperation Agreement from what United State Retired in 2017 headed by Donald Trump.

In the past 20 years, China has won vigorously against United State in the area Americas, to become the number one trading partner for almost all South American countries, granting low-interest loans, investing in energy projects, ports and highways, among many other businesses.

On his tour in Latin americaSingh was accompanied by David Marchek, Director of Operations at the International Development Finance Corporation (DFC), United States Development Bank, and Ricardo Zuniga, Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for Western Hemisphere Affairs and Special Envoy for the Northern Triangle. Central America.

Officials from USAID The Ministry of Finance, the Ministry of Commerce and other agencies.

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