SCMP Foreign Correspondents' Highlights: Latin American Relations in July 2026
From global soybean market updates to China’s best trade partners, highlights from SCMP's foreign correspondents.
L'essentiel
SCMP highlights key Latin American news from July 2026, including Chile's engagement with China, Brazil's rise as the top buyer of Chinese cars, and US claims regarding China-linked spy sites in Cuba.
Résumé généré par IA
Pourquoi c'est important
SCMP foreign correspondents compiled highlights covering Latin American relations and trade dynamics from July 2026.
From global soybean market updates to China’s best trade partners, here are highlights from the SCMP’s foreign correspondents in July 2026
We have selected seven of the most interesting and important news stories covering Latin American relations from the past few weeks. If you would like to see more of our reporting, please consider subscribing.
1. Chile’s Kast courts China day after US hits exports with forced labour tariff
Chilean President Jose Antonio Kast received China’s ambassador to Santiago, Niu Qingbao, at the La Moneda Palace, in an encounter that lasted more than an hour and marked the first meeting between the two men since the right-wing leader took office in March 2026.
Read the full story here.
2. Brazil is now the world’s biggest buyer of Chinese cars: China customs
Brazil overtook Russia and Belgium in the first five months of 2026 to become the world’s largest importer of Chinese cars, buying US$5.2 billion worth of vehicles as brands raced to land shipments before a tariff increase took effect.
Read the full story here.
3. US claims 3 China-linked spy sites in Cuba monitoring American military activity
The United States accused China of operating three intelligence-gathering facilities in Cuba and sharply expanding its personnel on the island, portraying Havana as a strategic platform for Beijing to monitor American military activity.
Questions ouvertes
- What were the specific outcomes of Kast's meeting with Niu Qingbao?
- How will the US respond to the alleged spy sites in Cuba?
