China spent years building ties in Latin America. Can Trump make room for the US?

"I'm kind of anticipating a Latin American CPAC."

— Evan Ellis , Academic

"Gone are the days of development partnerships, free trade, multilateralism, and even basic reciprocity."

— Enrique Dussel Peters , Academic

"What they’re really hoping is that Washington backs up the political alignment with tangible economic benefits."

— Francisco Urdinez , Academic

"If the US is very boldly telling countries to cut off strengthening ties with China, the US is going to have to offer them something."

— Gimena Sanchez , Activist

"The US is trying to get countries to agree that they’re not going to have China be one of their primary trading partners, and they really can’t at this point."

— Gimena Sanchez , Activist

"We were deceived."

— Javier Amador , Executive

"Honduras is probably the most likely country in the world right now to switch diplomatic recognition back to Taiwan."

— Francisco Urdinez , Academic

"It’s not easy in a world where there is a lot of pressure to change that recognition and to break those ties, but you have always stood firm."

— Marco Rubio , Politician

"While too many countries bow to the bullying of Beijing, Guatemala stands with the people of Taiwan and prospers through a strong trade relationship."

— John Moolenaar , Politician

"I'm kind of anticipating a Latin American CPAC."

— Evan Ellis , Academic

"Gone are the days of development partnerships, free trade, multilateralism, and even basic reciprocity."

— Enrique Dussel Peters , Academic

"Trump’s approach is making hedging increasingly difficult."

— Francisco Urdinez , Academic

"The U.S. did not invest in the industries that the developing world in general is eyeing to close their infrastructure gaps."

— Rebecca Ray , Academic

"America is prepared to take on these threats and go on the offense alone if necessary."

— Pete Hegseth , Executive

"In this neo-imperial policy toward Latin America, Trump is changing all the diplomatic rules, so he needs people willing to follow his lead."

— Fernando Estenssoro , Academic

"So far it does not appear to be an issue that Chile sells copper to China, but it does worry Washington that Chile could participate in a project where information flows that could potentially be used for other purposes by the Chinese government."

— Alberto Rojas , Academic

"The presidents of Latin America have no negotiating power with Trump, and that becomes clear when the United States says it will give the orders and whoever does not comply will face the consequences."

— Fernando Estenssoro , Academic

"We were deceived."

— Javier Amador , Executive

"Honduras is probably the most likely country in the world right now to switch diplomatic recognition back to Taiwan."

— Francisco Urdinez , Academic

"great change will soon be coming to Cuba"

— Donald Trump , Politician