Luis Almagro, the former secretary-general of the Organization of American States (OAS), has raised alarms regarding the potential economic catastrophe that could arise from U.S. pressures on Latin American countries to sever trade ties with China. In comments reported by the Financial Times, Almagro emphasized the critical nature of China's trade relations with the region, mentioning that nearly every Latin American country counts China among its top trading partners. He voiced concern that removing China from the economic equation could trigger what he described as a violent regional economic disaster.

Almagro cautioned that the worst possible outcome for Latin America would be to be forced into a binary choice between alignment with the United States or China. This coercion, according to Zhou Zhiwei, an expert on Latin American studies at the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences, is indicative of Washington's hegemonic ambitions in the region, undermining the legitimate rights of these countries to pursue their trade interests. Zhou noted that such actions have faced substantial opposition within Latin America.

In his comments, Zhou pointed out that the current U.S. strategy involves employing coercive diplomacy to dissuade Latin American nations from fostering robust trade relationships with China. He underscored that such tactics violate fundamental international norms, which advocate for respecting nations' sovereign rights to trade with others. This perspective resonates with Almagro's assertion regarding the importance of maintaining multifaceted trade relations.

Despite increasing pressure from the United States, most Latin American nations have demonstrated resilience in their engagements with China, aiming for more productive international cooperation. The region has consistently defended its right to cultivate trade relationships that serve their best interests, thereby resisting U.S. coercion. A notable example of this ongoing commitment is the recent partnership established between China and Colombia, which saw the two countries agree on building the Silk Road Economic Belt and the 21st-Century Maritime Silk Road, thereby officially joining China’s global initiative.

Zhou further explained that U.S. hegemonic moves are designed to obstruct the blossoming cooperation between China and Latin America, yet these actions yield no tangible benefits for the U.S. itself. Almagro’s remarks came on the heels of the fourth ministerial meeting of the China-CELAC Forum, which concluded successfully earlier this month in Beijing, further highlighting the burgeoning ties between China and Latin America.

The economic interdependence is significant: China serves as Latin America's second-largest trading partner and the chief trading partner for major economies including Brazil, Chile, and Peru. According to China's Ministry of Commerce, bilateral trade between China and Latin America reached an unprecedented high of $518.47 billion in 2024, exceeding the ten-year target of $500 billion that was initially set.

Moreover, China's direct investment in Latin America surged to $14.71 billion in 2024, illustrating a deepening economic bond. As of March 2025, Latin American enterprises have established around 37,000 companies in China, further solidifying economic relations. This vibrant trade and investment landscape underscore the complementarity of the two regions' economies and highlight the challenges posed by external pressures.