China-Latin America Relations in the Era of the Donroe Doctrine

This event will explore China’s goals in the region and consider how it has responded, if at all, to US foreign policy in Latin America.

China - Latin America Relations in the Era of the ‘Donroe Doctrine’Over the past two decades, Latin American nations have developed multifaceted relationships with China, which has grown into a primary export market, key infrastructure financier, and strategic diplomatic partner. In response, the United States has escalated its efforts to curb Beijing’s regional footprint, formalised in the 2025 U.S. National Security Strategy under the assertive ‘Donroe Doctrine’ a policy aimed at restricting Chinese political, economic, and security engagements across the Western Hemisphere.

This event brings together scholars of Latin American and Chinese foreign policy to examine how regional powers are contesting these pressures and navigating great-power rivalry.

Key Discussion Themes:

Latin American Strategic Agency: How regional governments actively maneuver between Washington and Beijing deciding whether to safeguard lucrative Chinese trade and investment links despite U.S. opposition, or adapt and scale them back.

China’s Strategic Counter-Response: Beijing’s overarching goals in Latin America and the diplomatic and economic mechanisms it uses to sustain influence under intensified U.S. containment.

Trilateral Perceptions & Asymmetrical Power: How mutual misperceptions shape foreign policy and how smaller or middle-power states negotiate leverage within great-power competition.

Panelists: Prof. Tom Long (University of Warwick / CIDE) – Expert in asymmetrical international relations and the diplomatic agency of smaller and middle-power states; author of A Small State's Guide to Influence in World Politics. Dr. Yanan Song (TBC) (SOAS University of London) – Specialist in foreign policy analysis, trilateral U.S.–China dynamics, and the geopolitical impact of China’s Belt and Road Initiative. Prof. Leslie Wehner (University of Bath) – Scholar of Latin American foreign economic policy, role theory, leadership analysis, and emerging powers (BRICS); Associate Editor of Foreign Policy Analysis.