The Rest Is Politics 480. Trump, China, and the Scramble for Latin America (Question Time)
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Dec 18, 2025 The discussion dives into Trump's strategic focus on Latin America, questioning whether it's driven by oil, drugs, or democracy. They examine the rise of right-wing populism in the region amid growing US-China competition. The hosts tackle stalled reform promises in the UK's House of Lords and highlight the troubling media silence surrounding hunger strikes related to Palestine Action. Additionally, they consider the implications of long-form podcasts as a medium for nuanced political debate.
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Caught Between Washington And Beijing
- Latin American governments face a forced choice between US investment and China's deep trade and infrastructure ties.
- China already dominates telecoms, mineral processing, and military cooperation, limiting US leverage.
Root Causes Overlooked
- Structural failings—low incomes, weak state capacity, crime and corruption—are Latin America's core problems.
- Traditional development tools (IMF, World Bank, trade) would address these, but current US policy ignores them.
Whips Keep Experts Off Committees
- Rory recalls being blocked from bill committees despite expertise because whips exclude knowledgeable MPs.
- He says that lack of Commons scrutiny pushes detailed legislative work into the House of Lords.