According to the Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean (ECLAC ), as of mid-2019, 18 countries in the region have signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with China under the initiative, including 10 in the Caribbean. Latin America and Caribbean countries have also been invited to join the BRI, a region where China’s pocket-book diplomacy has sparked interest in several countries. Launched in 2013, the BRI is seeking to create a major Eurasian trade zone extending from China to Europe, woven together by an extensive network of road, rail and other critical infrastructure. As power is increasingly linked to technological wherewithal, China has emerged as a challenger.Ĭhina is also actively extending its economic clout through its Belt and Road Initiative (BRI).
In particular, the Asian giant’s “Made in China” strategic plan seeks to move away from the production of cheap, low-quality goods to more higher-value products and services, including technology such as artificial intelligence (AI) and facial recognition programs. The Trump administration has been willing to start trade wars to fix China’s unfair trade practices, while China, since Xi Jinping’s ascent in 2012, has more aggressively pursued taking control of the commanding heights of the global economy through ambitious expansion plans. First and foremost there is a shift away from globalization and multilateralism to economic nationalism, turning the power dynamics between the world’s two largest economies, the United States and China, into a more sharp-elbowed interaction. The U.S.-Jamaica diplomatic tiff over China mirrors three major changes in the global system.
Three major shifts in U.S.-Caribbean relations Tapia should be given a message about where Jamaica’s foreign policy is formulated, which oughn’t be Foggy Bottom.” The editorial also suggested that under the current world order, where new centers of power-such as China-are rising as a result of global realignments, small countries like Jamaica are increasingly interested in “maintaining a viable system of multilateral partnerships.”Īmbassador Tapia’s reaction to Prime Minister Holness’ visit-and The Gleaner’s editorial response-exemplify the shifting tides in Caribbean international relations, a region where the United States risks losing influence over players like China. An editorial from The Gleaner noted: “Mr. Ambassador’s displeasure over Holness’ trip to China did not go over well in Jamaica. China usually has a great propaganda story as to why it has happened.” Ambassador Tapia also shared his concern over China’s behavior when countries fail to keep up with their payments, with China usually controlling the narrative on their behalf: “I could tell you horror stories of countries where has taken over ports because those countries could not pay for their investment. ambassador noted China’s particular interest in minerals and ports. Ambassador to Jamaica Donald Tapia questioned the basis on which China has-through direct investment and loans-injected an estimated $2 billion into Jamaica over the past decade, most of which went to infrastructure projects or industries critical to the island’s economy. Speaking to the local newspaper, The Gleaner, U.S. But this new era is not exclusive to China and the Caribbean, as it extends to the rest of the world. Prime Minister Holness’ trip to China clearly signaled a “new era” in bilateral relations, made even more evident by the prompt U.S. During the trip, Prime Minister Holness met with Chinese leader Xi Jinping and Premier Li Keqiang to sign a cooperation plan to jointly promote the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), “setting a precedent in the political relations between China and Caribbean countries in the new era,” as China’s ambassador to Jamaica, Tian Qi, stated. It was the Jamaican leader’s first official trip to China and the first time the Caribbean island participated in the CIIE as a Guest Country of Honor.
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