Section

Asia & Latin America

China is Latin America’s biggest trading partner, and Asian demand sets the price of the region’s copper, soy, lithium and oil. The Rio Times covers the trade, investment and lending ties binding Asia and Latin America – the Belt and Road, the commodity flows, the currency links – the one lens that reads both ends of the relationship.

Browse by themeAsia Markets & Currencies · Asia Supply Chains & Critical Minerals · Asia Tech & Semiconductors · Asia Trade & Geopolitics

A vast salt flat in Bolivia's lithium triangle, representing Latin America's central role in the global energy transition and the new scramble for critical minerals.

Analysis

Why Latin America Is Now the World’s Swing Region

As globalisation fragments and great-power competition intensifies, Latin America emerges as the pivotal 'optionality' region. From critical minerals to nea

July 21, 2026

A container ship docked at the port of Santos, Brazil, its cargo silhouetted against the morning sky as global trade disruptions reshape Latin America's economic future.

Analysis

US Tariffs and Shipping Chaos Squeeze Latin America’s Trade

From US tariffs on Brazil to EU-China tensions and Hormuz shipping chaos, Latin America sits at the centre of a...

July 21, 2026

Asia & Latin America

Taiwan Mexico Exports Surge 233% on AI Boom

Taiwan Mexico exports soared 233% to US$35.94 billion in early 2026, driven by AI chips and nearshoring as firms dodge...

July 20, 2026

Shipping containers stacked at the Port of Santos, Brazil, as global trade routes are redrawn by G7 decoupling from Chinese supply chains and US tariff policy.

Analysis

G7 China Decoupling: What It Means for Latin America Trade

The G7's June 2026 commitment to diversify trade away from China, EU rare-earth legislation, and July US tariff deadlines are...

July 20, 2026

A vast open-pit rare earth mine in South America, symbolising the region's critical role in the global scramble for minerals essential to the energy transition and advanced manufacturing.

Analysis

US–China Decoupling Redraws Latin America’s Strategic Map

As G7 nations move to decouple from China and the US weighs tariffs on Brazil over Pix and deforestation, Latin...

July 20, 2026

An oil tanker navigates the narrow Strait of Hormuz with Iranian naval vessels visible in the distance, as the global energy map tilts toward Latin American alternatives.

Analysis

The Strait and the Salt Flats: How a Hormuz Crisis Is Redrawing Latin America’s Energy Map

Hormuz crisis fallout: as Iran squeezes the Strait of Hormuz and Asia scrambles for energy, the shock is rewiring Latin...

July 18, 2026

An oil tanker navigating the narrow Strait of Hormuz, the choke-point whose 2026 closure rewired Latin America's trade and security.

Analysis

How the 2026 Energy Shock Is Rewiring Trade, Security and Opportunity for Latin America

From oil price surges to fertiliser crunches and a new Monroe Doctrine, the Iran war's shockwaves are rewiring Latin America's...

July 17, 2026

A Chinese-built container terminal at Chancay, Peru, the new physical gateway binding South American commodities to Asian markets amid global trade disruption.

Analysis

The Shock Absorber: Why Latin America Is Now the Fulcrum of a Shaken World Order

From a war in the Persian Gulf to a stalled fight against inflation and a three-way great-power contest, Latin America...

July 17, 2026

The Brazilian Congress in Brasília stands silhouetted against a twilight sky, symbolising Latin America's position at the centre of a new Cold War being fought over critical minerals, food and strategic allegiance.

Africa

Latin America Caught in the New Cold War Over Trade and Minerals

As great-power competition intensifies into a 'new Cold War', Latin America emerges as a critical swing region where US, Chinese...

July 16, 2026