In what will likely be President Biden's last diplomatic trip, he will soon head to South America to meet with world leaders, including Chinese President Xi Jinping.
Biden will first visit Lima, Peru, to attend the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation summit, where he will meet with Xi in what could be his last meeting as head of state, a senior administration official said.
Following Biden's summit appearance, he is expected to make a stop in Brazil, where the Group of 20 (G20) summit, which brings together Japan's major economic powers, will be held early next week. Biden will become the first sitting US president to visit a spot in the Amazon rainforest during his stay in Brazil.
President Luong Cuong of Vietnam speaks at the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation CEO Summit in Lima, Peru on November 14, 2024 (Getty Images)
Biden's diplomatic curtain call in South America comes as America's influence in the region continues to eclipse China. experts claim.
Republican representative warns of China's growing influence in Latin America
Modern U.S. policy toward the region has shifted over the past century from issues related to regional political stability to a current focus on illegal immigration and drug issues and how they impact domestically. are. Meanwhile, China is taking advantage of the hole left by the United States due to this change in priorities.
For example, the Wall Street Journal reported that South American countries have turned to China if the United States fails to reach trade deals with them. Near the start of the Biden administration, Uruguay and Ecuador turned to China after attempts to sign free trade agreements with the United States were blocked. Ecuador's priority is to conclude a trade deal with the United States, but the ambassador said the country is “prioritizing alternatives” pending the transition of the United States to the Trump administration.
The national flags of Peru and China fly in Tiananmen Square in Beijing on June 28, 2024. (Getty Images)
The United States still has more trade deals in South America than China, but the communist state is expanding its influence in other ways as well. Beijing has invested in projects in parts of South America, including ports in Peru and a satellite in Argentina's Las Lajas that trade in Chinese currency. China has also established purchases of minerals and food products in the region, which could be an effort to shore up resources ahead of a conflict in the South China Sea given rising global tensions over Taiwan. It is believed that
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Meanwhile, the U.S. International Development Finance Corporation, the federal agency that directs investments in developing countries, has invested $30 million to finance a major mineral mine in Brazil. However, under this current investment mandate, all Latin American countries except Bolivia, Honduras, Nicaragua and Haiti are considered too wealthy to benefit from investment.
Relations with South America could deteriorate further under President-elect Donald Trump, whose tariff threats have raised concerns among world trade leaders.
President Biden and Chinese President Xi Jinping (Reuters/Kevin Lamarque/File)
The meeting between Mr. Biden and Mr. Xi while in Peru will be the third direct meeting between the two since Mr. Biden took office.
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The two men will discuss a wide range of issues, including military-to-military communications, human rights, fentanyl, artificial intelligence, climate change, cybersecurity, Taiwan and the incoming Trump administration, a senior administration official said.
The White House did not respond to Fox News Digital's request for comment.
