China to the Rescue? Implications of Chinese Aid and Trade in Latin America Based on Evidence from Sino-African Cases

The rise of China is shaping developing countries around the world. The infamous SinoAfrican relationship has highlighted the detrimental effects of unconditional Chinese aid and trade in developing regions. Corrupt countries are now able to access large amounts of aid with “no-strings attached.” Even more, China’s hunger for natural resources has caused many African economies to increasingly rely on primary products. Despite the extensive coverage on Sino-African relations, little light has been shed on the long-term implications of Chinese unconditional aid and trade in Latin America. However, as Latin American economies are forced to “deindustrialize” and corrupt regimes remain intact, it is pertinent to explore the potential consequences of Chinese unconditional aid and trade in Latin America. This thesis will compare Sino-African and Sino-Latin American cases in order to hypothesize about the future long-term implications of Chinese unconditional aid and trade in Latin America. By examining scholarly works and historical trends, this thesis will argue that Chinese unconditional aid and trade in Latin America supports corrupt and inefficient regimes while also failing to provide long-term growth opportunities.