US President Joe Biden hosted the leaders of 10 countries in Washington DC on Friday for a two-day meeting on two main issues affecting North and South America.
The countries that have accepted Washington DC’s invitation are Canada, Mexico, the Dominican Republic, Costa Rica, Panama, Colombia, Ecuador, Peru, Chile and Uruguay.
The idea for the meeting was sparked at a gathering in Los Angeles last year on the future direction of the American continents. The urgent issue then – and now in Washington – is the ongoing migration where many people from Central and South America are trying to get to the United States primarily with the hope of a better future.
“Economic Opportunities”
US National Security Council spokesman John Kirby said the meeting will seek to find solutions for “meaningful economic opportunities” for vulnerable countries. He said that migration is a “common challenge”.
US Finance Minister Janet Yellen emphasizes before the meeting that a common stance on trade issues is crucial, where the importance of spreading import routes is crucial for the countries. The US wants to expand trade exchanges “with trusted partners and allies”, according to Yellen.
— The strategy means enormous opportunities for strengthening growth in Latin America and the Caribbean, said the finance minister in a speech at the development bank Inter-American Development Bank, AP reports.
China’s role
The statement is a direct comment on China’s strong role as an exporter to North and Latin America.
But several countries are conspicuous by their absence at the meeting in Washington DC, which shows clear opposition to the United States in several countries in Latin America and the Caribbean.