Chinese premier wields
largesse in 4 strategic
nations as US snoozes

China’s head of government Premier Li Keqiang wielded his country’s checkbook in Latin America.
While US media paid scant attention, a top Chinese official swung through Latin America this week inking deals worth billions for both ends of the transactions.
The strategic significance is enormous.
With US attention focused on a tense confrontation in the South China Sea, the Chinese premier Li Keqiang was focused on the long term as he toured Brazil, Columbia, Peru and Chile.
Trade agreements worth billions – mostly involving huge infrastructure projects – were announced in each country.
China benefits two ways: it puts its lagging construction sector to work, and gains a more steady supply of raw materials for its economy.
Significantly, it deepens bilateral ties between China and the four countries, and further erodes US hegemony in the region. It’s a development we ignore at our peril.
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