China hopes to expand its growing economic and political clout at the Nonaligned Movement summit, influence that analysts say will come at the cost of the United States, which passed up a similar invitation to attend as an observer.
Led by China’s Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs Yang Jiechi, the Chinese delegation plans to hold bilateral meetings with a number of Latin American countries and strengthen China’s ties to the region where its trade soared…
The administration of U.S. President George W. Bush has declined to attend the summit, and a press officer at the U.S. Interests Section in Havana said they wouldn’t comment on the Nonaligned Movement.
That’s a mistake, according to Latin America analysts who have tracked declining U.S. influence in a region where it can no longer count on the unconditional support of political leaders, even though U.S. trade remains the most powerful engine for their economies.
“Bush likes to use the saying ‘You’re either with us or against us’ and they are writing off the summit because they are non-aligned, which to them means they are not with the U.S.,” said Mark Weisbrot, co-director of the Center for Economic and Policy Research in Washington, D.C.
Unlike the United States, which often uses trade deals as political leverage, China has avoided political meddling, said Weisbrot, who predicts that U.S. commerce may have already peaked as a share of Latin America’s economies, while their trade with China will grow substantially.
I’ve never been able to figure out how so-called diplomacy was ever expected to accomplish anything — when you refuse to talk to people. Washington is only snubbing 118 countries!
The political clout of the Nonaligned Movement has varied up and down over decades; but, the opportunity to do business has always been there. You snooze — you lose.
Good grief. This article came from the Associated Press!
These guys are about as subversive as cornflakes for breakfast. True, they’re about 5 years behind noticing crap like this; but, you could expect them NEVER to say anything out of line.
The United States does not attend summits as observers! Humph!
And while little Georgie Porgie storms off in a huff; China continues to shape its superpower status in the 21st Century.
Go for it, Dusan. It’s reassuring to know the Internet reaches all the way back to the 19th Century. Don’t forget any Balkan neighbors you wish dead, as well.
#3 is very correct in his assessment. Not only is it not in the US’s interest to attend, but outside of only a few countries, ANY country would crave attention from the US. Almost every country out there would rather be a part of the western sphere.