China's Economic Presence in South America: Implications for the Dynamics of Intraregional Cooperation

Abstract

This article analyzes the Chinese economic presence in South America within the framework of the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) and beyond it, and the implications for the dynamics of intraregional cooperation, in a context of strategic dispute between China and United States. From a theoretical-methodological approach of International Political Economy, we seek to understand the processes of structural change and the consequent constraints and/or possibilities for social actors. We identify the most relevant actors and the interactions between the domestic, subregional and global levels of analysis. We carry out a specific case study, in particular, we analyze how the presence of multiple Chinese actors in the subregion evolved through digital, energy, and logistics and transportation projects, before and after the invitation to Latin America to be part of the BRI. We explain how the Chinese presence materializes through the "creation of geography". The analysis includes the reactions of the United States and the implications of these responses for intra-regional dynamics in South America. In the conclusions, we offer reflections on how the Chinese presence modifies interests and preferences, and influences the domestic and global levels, and how it contributes to reconfigure the dynamics of South American cooperation.