Beijing’s Venezuela plans, Mexico-China tariffs: 7 Latin America relations reads

We have selected seven of the most interesting and important news stories covering global relations from the past few weeks. If you would like to see more of our reporting, please consider subscribing.\n1. Mexico stands by its decision for 50% tariffs on Chinese goods\n\nEconomy Secretary Marcelo Ebrard in December defended Mexico’s decision to impose new tariffs on imports from China and other Asian countries, describing the move as a necessary step to protect hundreds of thousands of domestic jobs rather than a provocation to any trading partner.\nRead the full story here.\n2. Brazil weighs visa-free entry for Chinese tourists and business travellers\n\nBrazil is preparing to waive visa requirements for Chinese citizens travelling for tourism and business, local media reported in December citing government sources, in a move that would mark a significant shift in policy and deepen ties with its largest trading partner.\nRead the full story here.\n3. China says it is working ‘with all parties’ to prevent escalation in Venezuela\n\nChina said in December that it is working “with all parties” to prevent a military escalation in the Caribbean as the United States intensified its operations near Venezuela in a sign of Beijing’s growing diplomatic and symbolic support for Maduro.\nRead the full story here.\n4. Trump’s national security blueprint aims to combat China’s rise in Latin America\n\nIn December, the White House released a national security blueprint that marked a sweeping assertion of US influence in the Americas. The framework pledged to prevent non-Western powers from expanding their foothold across the Western Hemisphere, a clear reference to China’s growing presence in the region.\nRead the full story here.\n5. BYD plans giant Brazil factory to scale electric bus and truck production\n\nChinese carmaker BYD plans to build a new factory in Brazil within the next three years after rising demand for electric buses filled its existing production capacity and forced the company to redraw its manufacturing strategy in the country.\nRead the full story here.\n6. China unlikely to aid Maduro if US acts, but may benefit from fallout: analysts\n\nBeijing is unlikely to offer military help to Venezuela if the United States moves against President Nicolas Maduro, analysts say, but it could still benefit from a shift in Washington’s global posture that revives old notions of spheres of influence, including one that might one day favour its ambitions towards Taiwan.\nRead the full story here.\n7. Brazil’s central bank chief says China’s low-cost imports have eased inflation\n\nBrazil’s central bank president, Gabriel Galipolo, told reporters in December that China is exporting “disinflation or even deflation” to Brazil through a surge in low-cost imports, easing inflation.\nRead the full story here.\n