How the U.S. Election May Influence China’s Engagement in the Americas

INSTITUTE OF THE AMERICAS U.S. Election May Influence China’s Engagement in the Americas

humanitarian crisis in Venezuela. 26 If Biden is elected in 2020, one will observe less sanctions and attempts at political change in countries, like Venezuela. 27 Though, it is important to note that a Biden Administration could stress a ”deprioritization” of sanctions or an incremental lift with concessions, rather than a total reversal or lifting in countries like Cuba, Nicaragua, and Venezuela. 28 However, with the current context, regardless of the administration, one will see the U . S . government participating in lobbying rather than regime change. In the case of Venezuela, with U . S . companies being further punished economically due to the effects of COVID-19, despite the United States’ general dislike of regime practices, the business side must continue with these companies’ interests advanced. 29

Biden, more than Trump, is likely to re-commit the United States back into the climate change battle, which could likely translate to a direct and specific engagement with Brazil about deforestation in the Amazon. 30 The Biden Administration’s hemispheric plan will center around the following pillars: the

expansion of foreign aid, mobilization/facilitation of private investment, anti-

corruption, and poverty reduction with a specific focus on women in the region. 31 With respect to Biden’s prospective Latin American energy engagement, recalling Obama era

26 . Council on Foreign Relations. "Election 2020 Series: The 2020 Candidates on Foreign Policy.” Subsection on” Venezuela and Latin America.” Council on Foreign Relations. Last updated: 11 Aug. 2020, https://www.cfr.org/election2020/candidate-tracker. 27 . Institute of the Americas: Energy and Sustainability Program. XXIX La Jolla Energy Virtual Conference 2020

Report: Navigating Crises . Institute of the Americas, 2020, https://www.iamericas.org/wp- content/uploads/2020/07/XXIX_-Virtual_La_Jolla_Energy_Conference_Report_Web-1.pdf.

28 . Ibid. 29 . Ibid.

30 . BNamericas. ”Would Latin America-US relations change under a Biden administration?” BNamericas , 2020, https://www.bnamericas.com/en/features/would-latin-america-us-relations-change-under-a-biden- administration. 31 . Official CampaignWebsite of Joe Biden/Kamala Harris. “The Biden Plan to Build Security and Prosperity in Partnership with the People of Latin America.” Biden Harris , 2020, https://joebiden.com/centralamerica/#

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