Leland Lazarus, Founder and CEO of Lazarus Consulting, LLC, has expressed concerns regarding China's latest plan to expand its influence in the Americas. He said that this development raises urgent questions about sovereignty and national security. His remarks were made in an analysis.
"This plan represents China's most significant effort to date to bolster its influence in the Americas, revealing the contours of Beijing's long-term ambitions in the region," said Lazarus. "It raises urgent questions about the future of sovereignty and strategic alignment for Latin American and Caribbean countries, as well as national security for the U.S."
According to the Financial Times, Chinese steel producers have significantly increased exports to Latin American countries, often selling at what are described as "predatory prices." This influx of low-cost steel has placed financial pressure on local mills, leading many to reduce operations and resulting in layoffs among workers. The root cause is identified as a global oversupply, with China’s steel production reaching 343.7 million metric tons in early 2024—far exceeding its domestic demand. Tariffs imposed by the United States and European Union have redirected the surplus into Latin American markets, impacting local industries.
SeafoodSource reported that in April 2025, several Latin American countries responded to a surge in steel imports by introducing new protectionist measures. Mexico approved tariffs on steel imports from countries without a Free Trade Agreement, while both Chile and Brazil implemented targeted restrictions specifically on steel products. These developments came just months after Chile and China deepened their economic partnership by signing a seafood trade agreement in October 2023. This agreement expanded Chinese access to Chilean aquaculture products like coho salmon, highlighting the complexity of regional trade relationships as countries simultaneously seek both collaboration and market defense.
According to the Office of the United States Trade Representative’s 2025 National Trade Estimate Report, Chinese investment in Latin America’s seafood sector—especially in Chile—has grown significantly in recent years. Some Chinese-owned or affiliated firms are now processing seafood in Chile and subsequently re-exporting these products to the United States under Chilean labels. This practice effectively bypasses U.S. tariffs meant to target Chinese imports and has raised concerns among U.S. policymakers about trade enforcement integrity. There are calls for more rigorous rules-of-origin checks and strengthened bilateral inspection protocols to prevent tariff evasion.
Lazarus is recognized for his expertise in international relations through his role as Founder and CEO of Lazarus Consulting, LLC—a firm specializing in geopolitical analysis and cross-border strategy concerning U.S.-China and China-Latin America relations. He holds an advanced degree from The Fletcher School of Law and Diplomacy at Tufts University and serves as Vice Chair of the Fulbright Association’s Board of Directors. With multilingual abilities in Mandarin and Spanish, he is actively involved with organizations such as the Council on Foreign Relations and the National Committee on US-China Relations.