Latin America Cool to Chinese
A few years ago, an influx of new Chinese businesses was apparent in Latin America. At the gateway hotels of Guayaquil, to the international airport of Quito, new Chinese government agents and investors were everywhere. Chinese shops filled with cheap oriental items popped up throughout Latin America but seemed out of place in traditional "Latin American" cities such as Cuenca, Quito, San Paulo, Lima, Cusco and Guayaquil. The Chinese government had decided that Latin American was "easy picking" for them, to grab up land, natural resources and regional control. Initially, Latin American leaders in places such as Ecuador, Peru and Brazil, saw China as a source of new capital, one which might replace the traditional sources such as the United States, Germany or European nations.
But in 2013, many leaders in Latin America have decided that the price of being in bed with China, is a high one. "Are we to be bought as a nation, to become a Chinese Colony" one Brazilian leader asked. In our personal research, in 2013 we note far fewer Chinese places of business. Indeed it may be true across Latin America. Brazil recently reported that almost every major Chinese "infrastructure project" has either been cancelled or is mired in delays. Chinese leaders have said that they have been frustrated by hostility of the Latin American people, unions and even politicians. Recent laws have been passed either prohibiting or placing strict penalties on "foreign investment" in Latin American land and property. Moreover the Latin American culture has proven to be much stronger and loyal to local cultural values than the Chinese expected. In short Latinos value their culture more than they desire Chinese money.
One Brazilian businessman said: "China has decided that Latin American may not be a good target so they have decided to move on and make their investments in the United States." While pockets of the USA in Houston, Los Angeles, San Francisco, Chicago, New York City seem more like China than the USA, there has also been resistance to the Chinese Culture. But, big business, banking and finance have made no secret of their desire to attract Chinese money. One factor of interest is that China, is the largest investor of U.S. Bonds and Treasury instruments. Much has been made of the fact that China owns so much of America that they cannot afford to let it fail. Thus more and more "young emperors" of China are being sent to the USA, to have a presence in the land that they believe they may someday have more control of. But government monitoring of Chinese activities in "North America" has also sent signals to the Chinese. "American is not for sale." seems to be an emerging message. Oh, Americans will take your money, but somehow Americans will continue to control their own destiny (Just like South Americans).
We have learned, in our Global research, that locations, often have more influence on the people that go there, than the "invaders" expect. The Chinese may find that as they come to places such as North and South America, that the regions have a way of infecting them, with the essence that is the locality. So, regional areas rich in the natural resources or wealth that the Chinese so eagerly wish to capture, may indeed capture the Chinese. Americans, Latin Americans, Texans, or Californians have powerful identities that ultimately will assert their essential character. It is the same with Americans who visit China. Some fall in love with it and they find that they have been influenced by "Chinese characteristics".
Back at the Boothe Ranch we often welcome guests from around the world. They love the horses, the outdoor barbecues, the food and the hospitality. When they depart, they know that the essential character of Texas has been and will be rooted in a rich history of individualism, self reliance and strong traditional values rooted in something "Western" but carrying ethical values deep and powerful. In summary we say: "Viva Ecuador" "Viva Brazil" "Viva Peru" and "long live the United States".