Heine Analyzes Implications of Trump’s Policies on Latin America
Jorge Heine, Research Professor at the Frederick S. Pardee School of Global Studies at Boston University and former Chilean Ambassador to China, recently shared his insights in an interview with Project Syndicate’s “Say More” series, discussing the challenges Latin America faces in light of U.S. President Donald Trump’s policies.
Heine highlighted that Trump’s actions—such as mass deportations, unpredictable tariffs, and threats concerning the Panama Canal—pose significant challenges for Latin America. He emphasized the importance of collective regional responses, noting that the region’s fragmentation hampers effective action. He pointed to the cancellation of the Community of Latin American and Caribbean States (CELAC) summit as evidence of this disunity. However, Heine expressed optimism regarding the election of Albert Ramdin as Secretary-General of the Organization of American States (OAS), suggesting it could signal a move toward greater regional coordination.
Heine also advocated for Latin American countries to adopt a strategy of active non-alignment (ANA) in foreign policy. This approach involves leveraging great-power competition to maximize economic and political benefits without aligning strictly with any one bloc. He cited examples of smaller nations, such as Honduras, Ecuador, and Uruguay, successfully employing ANA strategies to navigate complex international dynamics.
Furthermore, Heine addressed the need for a more diversified global monetary system, suggesting that the dominance of the U.S. dollar is incongruent with current economic realities. He proposed that other currencies, particularly the euro and the renminbi, should play more significant roles in international transactions and reserves.
The full interview provides an in-depth analysis of these issues and can be accessed on Project Syndicate’s website here
Ambassador Jorge Heine is a Research Professor at the Pardee School of Global Studies at Boston University. He has served as ambassador of Chile to China (2014-2017), to India (2003-2007), and to South Africa (1994-1999), and as a Cabinet Minister in the Chilean Government. Read more about Ambassador Heine on his faculty profile.