双碳研究丨中国重塑全球能源话语权：从拉美锂三角到气候融资新主场

Core Insights - China has significantly increased its trade and loan scale in Latin America, becoming a major economic partner in the region, particularly in energy and infrastructure sectors [4][5] - The shift in Latin America's alignment towards China raises political concerns, particularly regarding support for authoritarian regimes and its impact on Taiwan's diplomatic recognition [5][6] - China's investments in the "lithium triangle" in Argentina, Chile, and Bolivia highlight its progress in the clean energy supply chain, contrasting with the challenges faced by the U.S. in establishing similar agreements in South America [5][6] Trade and Economic Influence - Over the past 25 years, China's share of exports from Latin America has surged from less than 2% to becoming the second-largest trading partner in the region and the largest in South America [5] - China has emerged as a primary lender in Latin America, particularly funding energy and infrastructure projects, with Venezuela receiving nearly $60 billion in loans, almost double that of Brazil, the second-largest recipient [5] Geopolitical Implications - The growing China-Latin America relationship is perceived as supporting authoritarian governments, with concerns raised by U.S. analysts about the implications for democracy in the region [6] - The reduction of U.S. climate financing has opened opportunities for China to solidify its presence in emerging economies, allowing it to sign agreements in the energy sector [7] Clean Energy Market Dynamics - The U.S. withdrawal from clean energy policies under the Trump administration has inadvertently benefited China, positioning it to dominate the global clean energy market [7] - A study from Johns Hopkins University suggests that the repeal of the Inflation Reduction Act could create up to $80 billion in investment opportunities for China, while the U.S. would face significant losses in manufacturing, trade, and exports [7]