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As the world watches closely to see how the return of Donald Trump will alter U.S.-China relations, China has wasted no time solidifying its position in Latin America. While Trump’s 2016 campaign promised tariffs as high as 60% on Chinese imports, China is now making significant strides further south, opening a new megaport in Peru that could reshape trade routes, bypassing North America entirely.



This week, President Xi Jinping himself attended the inauguration of the Chancay port on the Peruvian coast, underscoring the importance of the development for China’s broader economic and geopolitical goals. Xi’s visit came as part of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) summit, but the spotlight was firmly on Chancay, symbolizing China’s growing influence in a region long considered America's sphere of influence



Experts suggest that the U.S. is now facing the consequences of years of neglect toward its Latin American neighbors, while China has moved swiftly to fill the void. “The U.S. has been absent from Latin America for so long, and China has moved in so rapidly, that things have really reconfigured in the past decade,” says Monica de Bolle, senior fellow at the Peterson Institute for International Economics.

The Chancay port, backed by Chinese investment, is expected to open new trade routes that will link Latin America more directly with Asia, deepening the region’s economic ties with China and reducing its reliance on traditional North American trade corridors. This move marks a significant shift in the balance of power, with China positioning itself as a dominant player in Latin American commerce.





As seasoned observers see it, Washington is now paying the price for years of indifference towards its neighbours and their needs.


"The US has been absent from Latin America for so long, and China has moved in so rapidly, that things have really reconfigured in the past decade," says Monica de Bolle, senior fellow at the Peterson Institute for International Economics in Washington.