The government of outgoing president of the United States, Joe Biden, highlighted on Wednesday the cooperation efforts and joint strategies with its Latin American counterparts, during a review of the last four years of management, within which they celebrated the promotion of an “ambitious” project. ” to consolidate its relationship with the countries of the region.
In this sense, the Undersecretary of State for Economic Growth, Energy and Environment of the White House, José W. Fernández, highlighted the implementation of an economic strategy with Latin American nations that combines sustainable development, technological cooperation and strengthening of supply chains.
During a virtual press conference, Fernández presented a report with the achievements made in the administration, highlighting initiatives that range from environmental conservation in El Salvador to financial incentives in Central America.
“Latin America is not only our neighbor, it is our strategic partner in global growth”, indicated Fernández, making it clear that the region has always occupied a priority space for the future for the Biden government, which will leave office next January, succeeded by president-elect Donald Trump.
Latin America: a key strategic partner
The senior US official also stressed the importance of Latin America as a vital area for the economic and national security of the United States.
“Latin America has been fundamental to our strategy. With unique family and cultural ties, we have worked to strengthen our supply chains in critical sectors such as semiconductors, essential minerals and pharmaceuticals. We believe that this relationship has not only improved, but is ready to advance even further with the next administration.”, he pointed out.
In his opinion, this approach has allowed the consolidation of key initiatives throughout the region, from the promotion of environmental sustainability to the creation of new economic opportunities through strategic alliances with countries such as Guatemala, El Salvador, Taiwan, the Dominican Republic and Ecuador. .
Guatemala: an opportunity to face historical problems
The undersecretary highlighted the progress in Guatemala, one of the countries that they see as a priority to carry out this regional strategy. In that sense, he recalled that in March of this year, the first high-level economic dialogue between both countries was held, involving more than a dozen US agencies and their Guatemalan counterparts.
“In the case of Guatemala, we saw an opportunity to address the problems that have impeded its economic prosperity. We have cooperated on competition legislation, improved infrastructure through technical assistance, and worked on agricultural projects such as seed and soil improvement. Additionally, we have explored innovative ways to channel remittances toward building sustainable infrastructure.”, Fernandez explained.
Undersecretary Fernández also highlighted the Guatemalan government’s commitment to reducing inequality, incorporating indigenous populations and combating corruption. These actions, he stated, are “fundamental to addressing the structural causes of forced migration.”
Semiconductors and the role of Taiwan
In the field of technology, Fernández stressed the importance of Taiwan as a strategic ally in the production of semiconductors, a vital sector for the global economy. “Taiwan is the world’s leading producer and a strategic ally. Through the CHIPS law, we have allocated more than $50 billion to strengthen the industry in the US, generating 25,000 jobs. Latin America also has a critical role: Costa Rica, Panama, the Dominican Republic and Mexico are key partners in the diversification of supply chains.”, stood out.
Along these lines, the official explained how this strategy not only reinforces the economic security of the United States, but also creates “significant opportunities” for the countries in the region that participate in this global effort.
Conservation and sustainability in El Salvador
On the other hand, he also referred to the agreement reached with the government of El Salvador for the conservation of the Lempa River. A pact that, according to him, combines debt reduction with environmental commitments and is presented as a model of financial and ecological sustainability that can be used for other cases.
“El Salvador has committed to allocating savings from debt reduction to environmental preservation projects. This balance between economic development and environmental protection is essential for a sustainable future.”, Fernandez stated.
However, he also noted the challenges facing the country, including the reopening of metal miningan activity that could have significant negative impacts on the environment and local communities if not carried out under strict standards.
Dominican Republic and Ecuador: examples of effective cooperation
Regarding the Dominican Republic, Fernández referred to collaboration in the medical equipment industry and the organization of the last meeting of the Economic and Health Dialogue of the Americas, which brought together 18 countries to strengthen health systems in the region. Regarding this, he pointed out the potential of the open skies treaty, which is expected to reduce air transportation costs and promote greater connections between both countries.
Regarding Ecuador, Fernández highlighted the largest debt swap led by the US International Development Finance Corporation (DFC), which allowed the Ecuadorian government to allocate resources to environmental standards. “We are working closely with Ecuador on security issues, supply chains and job creation. It is a country with which we have built a solid relationship”, he assured.
A shared vision for the future
In his closing, Fernández reflected on the progress made and the challenges that still persist. “Our administration has worked under the philosophy that economic security and national security are intrinsically linked. “Latin America, as a neighboring and allied region, has been a crucial partner on issues such as clean energy, supply chains and economic cohesion in the face of powers such as China.”, he concluded.
However, he stressed that Latin America is an indispensable partner in the United States’ global strategy. Looking to the future, the region continues to be a key player in meeting the challenges of sustainable development and global economic stability.
Trump’s plans
President-elect Donald Trump’s team is planning a firm strategy aimed at Latin America, which will be key in the implementation of his mass deportation policies for migrants, as confirmed by two sources involved in the transition discussions.
This approach seeks to stop the migratory flow and facilitate the return of undocumented people from the United States. Achieving this will depend, to a large extent, on diplomacy, which in the past has faced difficulties in contexts of tense relations with some countries in the region.
The sources assure that this time they have more solid preparation and a strategy that includes forceful measures, as well as possible sanctions for those countries that do not collaborate.
“Every tool is in our arsenal. There is a constant flow of creativity,” a Trump spokesman said at a recent meeting with media representatives, highlighting the flexibility of the plan.
The strategy includes strengthening cooperation with Mexico, resuming agreements that limit asylum applications in the United States for migrants who cross certain territories, and strengthening joint work with Panama to control transit through the Darién Gap.
The plans, however, require decisive support from regional partners while, from the president-elect’s team, they ensure that both the incentives and pressures necessary to guarantee the cooperation of these countries have been identified.
“Everything is on the table,” one of the sources emphasized, underscoring the importance of establishing clear consequences for those who do not comply. “Once the president restores credibility and consequences, it is not something to be taken lightly,” they noted.
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