A N A LY S I S GLOBAL AND REGIONAL ORDER LESSONS FOR EUROPE? Understanding China’s Engagement in Latin America Benjamin Creutzfeldt, Leolino Dourado and Matt Ferchen February 2024 Since the beginning of the 21 st century, China has established itself as an influential actor in Latin America and the Carib­bean(LAC) with a strong po­sition in trade, financing and infrastructure projects. It will continue to play an important role in the foreseeable future. If Germany and Europe want to intensify and extend their relations with countries in LAC, both regions need to be trans­parent about their goals and values, address possible con­flicts of interest and identify a common agenda. To distinguish itself from China, making it more attractive as a trading partner, the EU should contribute to Latin American countries’ goal of reducing their dependence on extrac­tive trade and di­versifying their economies.