China denounces US "bullying" and courts Latin America

Chinese President Xi Jinping has pledged billions of euros in credit for the development of the region, as well as greater cooperation in energy, infrastructure and education.

Symbolizing the intensification of political and economic ties with the region in recent years, the Asian giant opened this major meeting in Beijing on Tuesday with dozens of member countries of the Community of Latin American and Caribbean States (CELAC).

This meeting, which will be attended by Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula, is an opportunity for China to call for a united front against the tariff war launched by US President Donald Trump.

In a meeting with his Brazilian counterpart, Xi Jinping said the two countries should "jointly oppose unilateralism."

China and Brazil also issued a joint statement welcoming Russian President Vladimir Putin's proposal to begin peace negotiations with Ukraine, calling direct dialogue "the only way to end the conflict," according to the official Xinhua news agency.

Latin America has become a diplomatic battleground between Beijing and Washington in recent years, and Latin American countries regularly come under US pressure to choose sides.

Speaking a day after the United States and China announced an agreement to drastically reduce their reciprocal tariffs for 90 days, Xi Jinping on Tuesday sought to present China as a reliable and respectful partner.

"No one can win a tariff war or a trade war," he said at the opening ceremony, before leaders and foreign ministers of CELAC member countries.

"Bullying and hegemony only lead to isolation," he stressed. "Only through unity and cooperation can countries preserve global peace and stability, as well as promote development and prosperity worldwide."

"Hand in hand"

He promised that China would release a credit of 66 billion yuan (8.3 billion euros) for the "development" of Latin American and Caribbean countries.

This sum is part of a broad package of initiatives aimed at strengthening cooperation, particularly in the areas of infrastructure and clean energy.

China will also collaborate more with Latin America in combating terrorism and transnational organized crime, Xi Jinping said, while strengthening people-to-people exchanges through scholarships and training programs.

Under the Sino-US agreement announced Monday, the United States agreed to lower its tariffs on Chinese goods to 30%, while China will reduce its tariffs on imported US goods to 10%.

This agreement marks a significant de-escalation in this bilateral trade war, which remains active, while disputes persist between the two powers.

Echoing Xi Jinping's comments, his foreign minister, Wang Yi, said on Tuesday, without naming the United States, that "a certain world power" was "obsessed" with the law of the strongest.

He urged Latin American countries to "work hand in hand" with Beijing to defend their rights against a country that "uses tariffs as a weapon to intimidate other countries."

Charge against Washington

Among the key Latin American leaders in Beijing is Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, who arrived Saturday for a five-day state visit.

Lula said at the opening ceremony that Latin America did not want to "repeat history and start a new Cold War."

"Our goal is to contribute positively to the multilateral order for the global good, and to be duly represented," he explained.

Without naming the United States, Colombian President Gustavo Petro criticized American economic policy, the treatment of migrants, and Washington's climate-sceptic stance, calling for an "equal exchange between civilizations," as opposed to "imperialism."

Last week, he announced that he would sign a letter of intent for his country to join the "New Silk Roads."

A central plank of Beijing's strategy since 2013 to increase its international influence, this program aims in particular to build maritime, road and rail infrastructure, particularly in developing nations.

Two-thirds of Latin American countries have already joined.

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