China en negociaciones con latinoamerica

2010 Vol. 3 Nº 2

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Science Shops: A Way To Get Colombian Universities Closer To The Community HENAO AGUIRRE, Sofia Catalina

Revista de Negocios Internacionales

Revista de Negocios iNteRNacioNales vol. 3 Nº 2. Pp. 40 - 56

dePaRtaMeNto de Negocios iNteRNacioNales Maria Alejandra Calle A brief note about the China-Latin American Trade Partnership: an opportunity for tradediversification or a threat to a green agenda in the region? Revista de Negocios Internacionales. Vol. 3 Nº 2 - Julio - Diciembre 2010 - Pp. 57 - 63

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A brief note about the China-Latin American Trade Partnership: an opportunity for trade diversification or a threat to a green agenda in the region? CALLE, Maria Alejandra

A brief note about the China-Latin American Trade Partnership:
Mariaalejandra Calle 1

an opportunity for trade diversification or a threat to a green agenda in the region?
Maria Alejandra CALLE1

Abstract
Bilateral trade relations between China and Latin American countries are often seen and exhibited as a strategic alliance. Nonetheless, China has its main trade and investment interests in natural resources extraction. In this sense, high stakes emerge whenbalancing trade patterns and welfare concerns for Latin American countries that also share the goal of attracting foreign direct investment, alternative initiatives derived from the sustainable use of biodiversity.

Brief Note
After years of economic crisis and political storms, China emerges as the so called “world factory” having the priority of recovering its domestic economy and regionalinfluence by straightening its export platforms and maintaining its competitiveness in manufactured products. In doing so, China needs to forge trade alliances and ensure its supplier sources for raw materials, agricultural products and energy. The rapid growth of China, its involvement in the world trade scenario and its recent commitments with the WTO are posing a new myriad of opportunities andthreats for developing countries, especially for Latin America, who seems to be an important ally for the Asian giant. The possibility of Regional Trade Agreements (hereinafter RTA’s) between China and Latin American countries is deeply rooted in the idea of important dynamic complementarities and cooperation. It is important to recall that with the publica1 Master in International Economic Law andPolicy -IELPO (Universitat de Barcelona). Master in Administration Sciences (Universidad EAFIT). Assistant Professor at the International Business DepartRevista de Negocios iNteRNacioNales Vol. 3 Nº 2. Pp. 57 - 63 ment. Universidad EAFIT (Medellin- Colombia).

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A brief note about the China-Latin American Trade Partnership: an opportunity for trade diversification or a threat to a green agendain the region? CALLE, Maria Alejandra

tion of the Ninth Five-Year Plan in 1996, China started its policy shift to “actively participate and develop regional economic cooperation”, as well “strengthen South-South Cooperation”, and promote and develop the economic and trade cooperation with developing countries. The same Plan, however, also calls for China to “actively participate and defendmultilateral trading system, develop both bilateral and multilateral trade, so that they can promote each other and the market diversified” (Gao, 2008) Nevertheless, since the main economic interests of China in Latin America are considerably focused in its natural resources extraction and natural resourcesbased manufactures (besides geo-political reasons), it is also important to identify possiblenon trade concerns for Latin American governments and other stakeholders lingering beyond such attractive investment negotiations. Food and environmental security are often concerns that gather the attention of NGO´s, both concepts enrooted in the goal of having a sustainable development that is also included in the Latin American trade agenda (specially for the Andean Community and its biotrade...