By Adam Jourdan, Lisandra Paraguassu, Eduardo Baptista and Michael Martina BUENOS AIRES/BRASILIA/BEIJING/WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Argentina's libertarian President Javier Milei came to office in late 2023 slamming China as a communist "assassin" and threatening to weaken ties with the Asian nation.

Argentina's libertarian President Javier Milei came to office in late 2023 slamming China as a communist "assassin" and threatening to weaken ties with the Asian nation. Instead, exports to China including soy and lithium jumped 15% in his first year.

Rubio’s trip reaffirmed the strategic importance of many Central American countries and the Dominican Republic. These nations offer political stability, existing trade agreements and a track record of economic cooperation, making them ideal partners in securing U.S. investments and boosting exports.

China’s diplomatic efforts have steadily eroded Taiwan’s foothold in the region. Yet China's anticipated wave of investment never arrived, as trade data makes clear.

The Trump administration threatening partners in the Americas may prove to be short-term tactical approach but it will not prove to be a viable long-term strategy for engaging economically with the region.

Trump’s long and growing list of shortsighted actions in Latin America has created an opening there for America’s adversaries, most notably China.

A collection of experts from right-of-center and centrist organizations told the Washington Examiner that Trump's freeze on foreign aid may benefit China.

U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio traveled to the region and warned of Chinese encroachment. Several Latin American countries expanded trade and investment relations with China.

Deporting migrants to Central American countries removes many political and legal hurdles for the Trump administration. How far can the practice go before these nations reach a breaking point?

In his 1940 book, “Why England Slept,” John F. Kennedy examined England’s failure during the 1930s to respond effectively to the emerging threat from Nazi Germany. Like England, the U.S. today keeps hitting the snooze button instead of facing the challenge from China now on our doorstep.