For United States lawmakers on both sides of the political aisle China is the new arch-enemy. Not a day passes by without the mainstream corporate media and political talking heads accusing China of every ill under the sun, the same modus operandi used against Russia BEFORE the Ukraine War. But no matter U.S. saber-rattling, China continues to play its "long game" refusing to make the mistakes of the former Soviet Union while building up its economic and military might, and burnishing is now formidable diplomatic credentials across the world.
Chinese diplomacy has been built on a foundation of economic cooperation in Africa, Asia and the Caribbean as the United States and Europe focused on Russia as a new enemy after the Iraq and Afghanistan military misadventures became untenable. Taking their eyes off of China AND India proved to be a major mistake. Moreover, by isolating Russia, the United States and its allies, just drove these two countries further into each other's arms. For China, the U.S-Russian and Ukraine Gambit was and is a most informative and instructive development especially when it comes to the China-Taiwan issue that the U.S and the EU pivoted to after the Hong Kong Destabilizing Gambit failed miserably.
Today, China's influence in the Caribbean (and Latin America) has been steadily increasing in recent years, signaling a shift in the region's geopolitical dynamics. Traditionally, the Caribbean has maintained strong ties with its Western neighbors, particularly the United States and Europe. And the region continues to do so; it has not abandoned these traditional partners, even though respect and genuine reciprocity was a one-way affair. However, China's growing presence is reshaping the economic and political landscape of the region.
When it comes to Latin America, in recent months Brazil's new president has signed all kinds of economic, trade and technology agreements with China, including a two-nations financial institution (bank) that allows both countries to bypass the United States dollar as the trade currency - a first for the global trading system that relies on the U.S. dollar supremacy. Should this institution meet with success it will only be a matter of time before other BRICS nations (Brazil, Russia, India and China) follow suit.
In essence, this is a pilot project - the result of the ejection of Russia from the global currency and financial system dominated by the United States and the European Union at the start of the Ukraine War. No nation wants to be caught in that vulnerable position for one reason or the other or if and when the U.S. and EU decide to mete out punishment to "new enemies." Trade sanctions have worked to the ruination of nations because of "dollar dependency." China and the BRICS nations are looking for alternatives as their rising economic power is bound to trigger reaction from both the United States and the EU.
Just last month the new Grenadian prime minister, Dickon Mitchell, stated in a national address that he's going to seek better and improved relations with China, India, Africa AND the Middle East, especially Saudi Arabia, in a seismic engagement shift AWAY from the United States and Europe, something unthinkable, say, 10 years ago. Indeed, CARICOM has long realized that the United States and the EU were never reliable partners and only saw the Caribbean as a dumping ground for cheap goods and dependent on aid that was given in one hand and taken back in the other leaving the region worse off and more dependent on the U.S. than before. For these nations China, India and Brazil offer better alternatives for growth and development.
So, one key measurement of China's influence in the Caribbean is its ongoing economic engagement. China has become a significant investor in infrastructure developmental projects, such as ports, roads, housing and telecommunications networks. The Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), China's ambitious global development program, has provided a framework for targeted and increased Chinese investments in the region. These investments aim to improve connectivity and enhance trade opportunities, boosting the region's economic growth and development.
Already, many CARICOM nations have moved to strengthen bi-lateral ties with China on a whole range of issues. When the last hurricane to hit Dominica destroyed many houses and other infrastructure it was China that came to the rescue as the United States could care less. Today, China has not only built houses and other public infrastructure in Dominica but also invested in education, health and medical technology. And there is also a direct and deliberate CARICOM pivot to Africa and India as their aid programs come with less strings attached compared to U.S and EU aid.
Chinese investments have not only focused on physical infrastructure but also on key sectors like tourism, renewable energy, and agriculture. These investments have created increased employment opportunities and contributed to the diversification of the region's economies, especially in the aftermath of the COVID-19 pandemic. And on the diplomatic field China's "charm offensive" has paid dividends: Several Caribbean countries have recognized the People's Republic of China as the legitimate government, switching their diplomatic recognition from Taiwan.
In response to growing, mainly United States and EU concerns, Caribbean governments are adopting measures to ensure transparency, sustainable development, and long-term benefits from their partnerships with China. All of a sudden, after being long ignored by the United States and the EU, its top lawmakers and diplomats now come calling to bully the region, talking about "US national security interests" and stability in its "third border backyard and the Caribbean Basin" - a 20th century derogatory characterization for the region. Vice President Kamala Harris came bearing gifts, promising much, and then Secretary of State Anthony Blinken turned up pledging all kinds of help, ostensibly to "keep the region in line."
But that may be too little, too late. As of 2022, ten Caribbean countries have signed on to China's Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) -- Cuba, Jamaica, the Dominican Republic, Antigua & Barbuda, Dominica, Barbados, Grenada, Trinidad & Tobago, Guyana, and Suriname. "We're in nobody's backyard," deceased former Grenada Prime Minister Maurice Bishop once said. The rise of China in the Caribbean region is a direct result of being ignored, disrespected, and treated simply as poor, needy, third-class citizens living in "a basin" in the U.S, "backyard." Maybe now, the region will be treated with the respect it deserves.