Bilateral Free Trade Agreements in Latin America in the Context of China’s Struggle for Global Leadership

The study, with the use of organizational theory and spatial approach, considers China’s strategy in Latin America and the Caribbean (LAC), its features and dynamics since 2000s, diplomatic, institutional and political aspects of cooperation on intergovernmеntal, subregional and regional levels, implementation specifics of PRC’s ‘One belt, one road’ global initiative in LAC. The author focuses on a tool of free trade agreements that China has already signed with five countries in the region – Chile, Costa Rica, Nicaragua, Peru and Ecuador. While comparing foreign trade, investments and political behaviour of China with those of other main extraregional players – U.S. and EU, the author views this tool as a deeper trade and investment cooperation in the context of China’s struggle for global leadership during globalization processes with a changing China’s role in world order transformation. Economic, political and ideological motivation of all parties are highlighted, China’s appeal as a rising power, an alternative to U.S., is thought over. A conclusion is made that PRC has a differentiated approach to countries as a part of its regional strategy of creating free trade areas (FTA), which is seen in China’s foreign trade priorities and goals in implementation of ‘One belt, one road’ project in LAC. Expert estimations and opinions on positive and negative consequences of bilateral FTA agreements on economic growth and foreign policy positioning of China’s partners are summarized, especially on relations with U.S. and other Western countries. A prognosis is made on what changes can be expected in U.S. strategy for Latin America after Donald Trump’s new administration comes to power in January 2025.