China's engagement with Latin America and the Caribbean Geopolitical challenges and the role of the EU

This is the last of three reports on China’s role in Latin America and the Caribbean. The previous reports stayed as close as possible to the concrete and empirically observable presence of China in larger Latin American countries (Report 1) and smaller Caribbean and Central American countries (Report 2). As shown, China plays an important economic role and has bilateral relations with almost all LAC countries, which presents brings several benefits to the region, but also some negative effects. This report discusses how the changing global geopolitical relations that result from China’s new position in the world affect the LAC region and its international relations. In addition, the report discusses how the EU and its member countries, including the Netherlands, could react to the challenges of the increased Chinese presence and can help to counter any potential negative consequences of the Chinese presence.