Micah Jonah
March 6, 2026
United States President, Donald Trump is hosting a high-level summit at his Mar-a-Lago Resort this weekend, inviting leaders from nearly a dozen Latin American countries to discuss economic and strategic cooperation aimed at countering China’s growing influence in the region.
The event, dubbed the “Shield of the Americas” summit, brings together conservative-aligned leaders from Argentina, Bolivia, Chile, Costa Rica, Ecuador, El Salvador, the Dominican Republic, Honduras, Panama, Paraguay, and Trinidad and Tobago. Notably, the region’s largest economies, Mexico and Brazil, led by left-leaning governments, were excluded.
Experts warn that Trump’s strategy relies not just on political alignment but also on delivering tangible economic incentives. In Argentina, for instance, the US offered a $20 billion currency swap and increased beef import quotas to support the government’s allies ahead of elections.
The summit also addresses regional security concerns, particularly regarding China’s control of strategic infrastructure and critical minerals like lithium in Latin America. The White House hopes to persuade countries to limit or reconsider their economic reliance on China, framing the initiative as a reinforcement of the “Donroe Doctrine,” Trump’s plan to assert US dominance in the Western Hemisphere.
Analysts say the US faces challenges in competing with China’s already established trade relationships, noting that many countries in the region continue to rely heavily on Chinese investment and trade. Without concrete offers such as trade agreements, financing, or development investments, the rollback of Chinese influence may remain largely aspirational.
The summit is expected to set the stage for Trump’s April visit to Beijing, potentially giving him leverage in negotiations with Xi Jinping.
