Enrique Dussel Peters, professor, Graduate School of Economics, Universidad Nacional Autonoma de Mexico, Mexico
Latin America and the Caribbean (LAC) and China have had different phases of bilateral engagements, the first several centuries ago with the “Nao” and earlier with Admiral Zheng, even before Cristóbal Colón arrived in America, according to some authors. This presentation, however, will analyze the more recent socioeconomic relationship between LAC and China based on rapid trade and investment flows. Beginning in the 1990s, this new relationship has profoundly brought into question trade, investment, and productive specialization patterns in LAC and posed massive challenges to the region in terms of economic policy. Starting with this perspective, the presentation will highlight research results on these issues and discuss research options for the future.