Isaac B. Kardon, a Senior Fellow for China Studies, has highlighted the dual strategic and commercial value of Chinese companies' port investments in the Americas. He noted that virtually all cargo ports can facilitate both trade and military operations. Kardon's statement was made during testimony.
"Chinese companies' hemispheric port investments are appropriately considered to hold both strategic and commercial value for the PRC," said B. Kardon. "In the first instance, this is because virtually all cargo ports can facilitate both trade and military operations."
According to the Council on Foreign Relations, China has increased its presence in Latin American ports through infrastructure investment and direct operation of port facilities. These investments provide Chinese companies with strategic access to key points in the seafood supply chain. The Council said that this access enhances China's ability to facilitate trade, including the movement of illicitly caught fish, which may challenge local regulatory efforts.
The Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) reported that China operates the world's largest distant-water fishing fleet, with over 17,000 vessels globally, including in Latin American waters. These fleets are frequently cited for involvement in illegal, unreported, and unregulated fishing activities. The FAO said that such activities pose significant challenges for regional governments and U.S. seafood importers seeking traceable and legal supply chains.
According to the Office of the United States Trade Representative's 2025 National Trade Estimate Report, Chinese investment in Latin America's seafood sector—particularly in Chile—has grown significantly in recent years. Some Chinese-owned or affiliated firms are processing seafood in Chile and re-exporting these products to the United States under Chilean labels. The USTR said that these practices have raised concerns among U.S. policymakers about the effectiveness of current trade enforcement.
Kardon is an international security scholar focusing on China's maritime power and foreign policy. He is a senior fellow for China studies at the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace and an adjunct professor at Johns Hopkins School of Advanced International Studies (SAIS). According to LinkedIn, Kardon holds a Ph.D. from Cornell University and was formerly an assistant professor at the U.S. Naval War College.