The US ambassador to Argentina, Marc Stanley, expressed concern about China’s growing influence in Latin America and stated that the US needs to have more tools to compete with the Asian giant in the region. Stanley participated in a panel organized by the Inter-American Dialogue together with his Argentine counterpart, Jorge Argüello. During the talk, Stanley stressed that China wants to have more military presence and control in Latin America, which is of great concern to Washington because the Western Hemisphere is demilitarized.
The diplomat also referred to the 5G network tender and Argentina’s possible purchase of JF-17 Thunder fighter jets from China, noting that the US needs more tools to be competitive with China in many cases. Stanley compared China’s ability to offer infrastructure work in Latin America through state-owned companies with that of the US and mentioned the possibility of selling F-16 aircraft to Argentina to replace the aircraft offered by China.
The ambassador also asked Argentina in which sectors it would like the US to get involved, suggesting the agricultural sector, minerals, human capital, or nuclear development. Stanley stressed the need for the US to have more tools to compete with China in the region and said both nations should work together to develop tools to increase the US presence in Argentina.
Last week, Argentina signed an agreement with the Chinese government that will allow it to pay for its imports in yuan, helping alleviate the country’s dollar shortage. Stanley’s concern about China’s growing influence in Latin America mirrors Washington’s concern about China’s growing power around the world, including its influence in strategic regions of Latin America.