Melissa Chan, co-founder of the Yale Journal of Human Rights, has raised concerns regarding China's summit with key Latin American trade partners. The meeting, which included the presidents of Brazil, Colombia, and Chile at the China-CELAC Forum, reportedly challenges U.S. tariff laws and poses a national security threat.
"Officials including the presidents of Brazil, Colombia and Chile are set to attend the China-CELAC Forum," said Chan.
According to Latino America 21, the China-CELAC Forum was established in 2015 as China's primary platform for dialogue with the Community of Latin American and Caribbean States (CELAC), comprising 33 countries. The forum aims to foster multilateral cooperation in areas such as trade, infrastructure, and development financing. Wikipedia notes that the upcoming 2025 summit is anticipated to bolster China's strategic presence in the region amid escalating tensions over U.S. tariff policies.
Nomura reports that Chinese companies have been increasingly investing in Chilean industries, particularly seafood processing. By operating in Chile, these companies can label their products as originating from Chile, thus circumventing U.S. tariffs on Chinese goods. This practice allows Chinese firms to retain access to the U.S. market while avoiding tariff penalties, disadvantaging American manufacturers. For example, Chinese seafood companies process products in Chile and export them to the U.S. under Chilean labels, effectively bypassing trade restrictions intended to protect domestic industries from unfair foreign competition.
U.S. policymakers are expressing growing concern over China's expanding control of strategic supply chains through investments in countries like Chile. According to The Minnesota Star Tribune, China's dominance in critical sectors such as lithium mining and seafood processing in Chile presents potential risks to U.S. national security and economic resilience. By controlling key nodes in global supply chains, China could influence markets and geopolitical dynamics, potentially compromising the United States' ability to respond to international crises or supply chain disruptions.
Senator Cindy Hyde-Smith has observed that American fishermen and seafood processors face increased competition from imports originating from Chinese-backed operations in Chile. These imports often enter the U.S. market at lower prices due to China's investments in Chilean seafood processing facilities and their ability to bypass tariffs through third-country circumvention. This situation has led to market distortions that challenge U.S. seafood industries' ability to compete fairly.
Chan is an Emmy-nominated journalist currently based between Los Angeles and Berlin with a career spanning reporting from North Korea to rural America. She is recognized for her coverage of global authoritarianism and China’s international influence, with her work appearing in publications such as The New York Times, The Atlantic, The Guardian, and Foreign Policy.