(by Massimiliano D'Elia) In recent days, the Trump administration seems to have intensified its economic aversion to China's aggression. Ahead of his visit to five Latin American nations, US Secretary of State Rex Tillerson on Thursday railed against Beijing, accusing it of "using economic force to drag the South American region into its orbit." Defaming China cannot help change the US's bad image in Latin America or prevent countries in the region from seeking cooperation elsewhere to stimulate economic growth and development. Last year, the Trump administration sparked regional outrage by tightening immigration rules, building a wall to discourage population influxes, trying to skew trade deals in its favor. China's cooperation with the countries of the area is built on mutual benefit and mutual respect. The success of the second ministerial meeting of China and the Community of Latin American and Caribbean States, which has just ended, is a good example. The meeting, held in the Chilean capital of Santiago, approved three key documents: the Santiago Declaration, a joint action plan and a special declaration on the Belt and Road Initiative. Agreements were warmly welcomed by the countries of Latin America and the Caribbean. For local countries, China's proposed initiative can help them better promote connectivity and infrastructure and lay a solid foundation to stimulate future development. The Trump administration needs to understand that the Chinese scapegoat is not working to defend its faded charisma in the region, blaming China is a cheap political gimmick. Rather, rush to restore Washington's influence in Latin America. For the time being, instead of wasting time blaming China, it might be a good idea for Washington to put an end to its hostile rhetoric, revise its foreign policy and abandon Trump's "America First" thinking.
