China’s strategic engagement with Latin America intensified this week as it welcomed leaders and officials from across the region for a major diplomatic forum aimed at deepening economic and political ties. The move comes amid escalating tensions with the United States over trade, with China aiming to build alternative global partnerships in response to a wave of protectionist tariffs imposed by President Donald Trump.

The forum with the 33-member Community of Latin American and Caribbean States (CELAC) officially begins on Tuesday in Beijing, but Chinese officials began hosting key leaders and foreign ministers as early as Monday. The gathering underscores Beijing’s ambition to consolidate its presence in Latin America, a region that has become increasingly receptive to Chinese investment and trade initiatives, particularly in the wake of Washington’s inward-turning trade policies.

At the heart of China’s efforts is its sprawling Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) — a multi-trillion dollar global infrastructure campaign designed to boost connectivity, development and Beijing’s strategic influence across continents. Two-thirds of Latin American nations are now part of the BRI, reflecting the growing economic interdependence between China and countries such as Brazil, Peru, and Chile. For many of these nations, the initiative promises infrastructure development, job creation and increased access to Chinese markets.

Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva arrived in Beijing on Saturday for a five-day state visit, marking one of the most high-profile presences at the forum. Since returning to office in 2023, Lula has worked to balance Brazil’s relationships with both China and the U.S., seeking to diversify the country’s trade and diplomatic portfolio. In 2024, Brazil’s exports to China totaled over $94 billion, driven by agricultural products such as soybeans, iron ore and beef. In return, Brazil imports Chinese semiconductors, electronics, vehicles and medicines.

Beyond Brazil, China’s Foreign Minister Wang Yi hosted senior officials from Cuba, Venezuela, Peru and Uruguay at the Diaoyutai State Guesthouse, a symbolically important venue for Chinese diplomacy. Other expected attendees at the CELAC forum include Colombian President Gustavo Petro and Chilean President Gabriel Boric, signaling strong regional representation and broad political engagement.

The CELAC forum is part of a wider push by Beijing to challenge the dominance of the U.S. in its historical sphere of influence. With President Trump reinstating aggressive tariffs on steel, aluminium and other Chinese imports, and threatening sanctions on countries doing business with Beijing, China’s diplomatic charm offensive in Latin America seeks to rally support and counterbalance U.S. economic pressure.

For Latin American nations, China presents an appealing alternative amid concerns about U.S. isolationism and unpredictable trade policies. The Asian giant has consistently offered investment in infrastructure, technology, healthcare and energy, and is increasingly seen as a reliable economic partner. With regional economies still recovering from pandemic shocks and looking for sustainable growth, many governments are eager to leverage Chinese capital and markets.

However, this growing relationship is not without its critics. U.S. officials have warned that Beijing’s influence could lead to debt dependency, erosion of democratic standards, and strategic vulnerabilities in Latin America. Washington has also accused China of using state-backed companies and opaque contracts to extract resources and assert control. Nonetheless, for many Latin American leaders, these warnings ring hollow amid urgent development needs and economic stagnation.

As the CELAC-China forum unfolds, discussions are expected to cover a broad agenda, including trade diversification, digital economy, green energy, pandemic response, and regional security. The talks are likely to yield new trade agreements, infrastructure deals, and educational exchanges, further embedding China into the social and economic fabric of Latin America.

In the long term, China’s expanding ties with Latin America could reshape the region’s global orientation. Already, Beijing has overtaken the U.S. as the top trading partner for Brazil, Peru and Chile, and is quickly closing the gap in Argentina and Colombia. This shift in economic gravity has political implications, with Latin American governments increasingly reluctant to take sides in geopolitical disputes between the world’s two superpowers.

For China, the CELAC forum represents a strategic win — a platform to project soft power, enhance regional alliances, and signal resilience in the face of U.S. pressure. For the region, it presents opportunities for growth, diversification and infrastructure development — albeit with complex geopolitical trade-offs.

As global trade becomes increasingly fragmented and competition between the U.S. and China deepens, Latin America’s role as a geostrategic battleground is becoming ever more evident. With forums like CELAC, Beijing is making it clear that it intends to be a long-term player in the region’s future, no longer content to remain on the economic sidelines of the Western Hemisphere.

The Upcoming IPOs in this week and coming weeks are Neptune Petrochemicals, Aegis Vopak Terminals, Schloss Bangalore, Astonea Labs, Nikita Papers, Prostarm Info Systems, Victory Electric Vehicles International, Blue Water Logistics, Wagons Learning.

The Current active IPO are Unified Data - Tech Solutions, Dar Credit and Capital, Belrise Industries.

The Closed IPOs are Borana Weaves.