Global Issued Explained: The Belt and Road Initiative in Latin America: Present and Future (Part II)

In this episode of Global Issues Explained we return to a vital topic: China’s expanding role in Latin America through the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI). Our returning guest, Sebastián Hurtado—a lawyer, political scientist, and professor of international relations at several universities in Medellín—joins us once again to unpack the geopolitical and economic shifts driven by China’s rise. We explore how the Trump administration’s protectionist policies have impacted U.S. trade relations, the shifting allegiances of global powers, and the growing influence of China across Latin America, especially in Colombia. From soy tariffs to microbreweries in Medellín exporting to Shanghai, this second part of our conversation offers deeper insights into a world where the lines between politics, trade, and power continue to blur.