Latin America, which the United States of America (USA) tried to present as its backyard with the Monroe Doctrine declared in 1823, takes more independent decisions in terms of political, economic and security with the effect of rising left waves in the process after 2000. Because the process that started with Hugo Chavez in Venezuela continues with the second left wave today. These developments mean the breaking of the influence of the USA.
However, in the post-Cold War period, a will has emerged in Europe to act more independently from the United States, and this orientation has strengthened over time. However, with the Russia-Ukraine War, the USA increased its influence in Europe again. The aforementioned situation has weakened the will in Europe to make more independent decisions and pursue autonomous policies.
In this context, Germany is one of the states that want a more independent policy in Europe. However, after the Russia-Ukraine War, the possibility of the Berlin administration to implement this policy has greatly weakened. However, when the USA’s policies towards both Europe and Eurasia are examined, it is seen that it has an attitude contrary to the interests of Germany.
Germany had important relations with Russia in the pre-war period. With the start of the Russia-Ukraine War, Berlin advocates ending the war as soon as possible and achieving reconciliation. Washington, however, aims to significantly weaken Russia in Ukraine. Thus, the power and influence of a state acting contrary to the unipolar system would be broken. For this reason, Germany, whose relations with Russia were damaged, started to strengthen its relations with other states and turned to China. However, the United States also wants China to be considered a threat. In particular, by provoking Beijing over the Taiwan Issue, it aims to cause a conflict and to destroy the bridges between Europe and China, as can be seen from the example of Russia.
On the other hand, the USA develops various strategies against states that pursue policies to transform Europe into an independent actor. Against Germany’s idea of creating an independent Europe, the USA creates a competitive environment in the region. Because Poland carries out a policy close to the USA. As a matter of fact, the Washington administration supports Warsaw against Berlin. At this point, the USA maintains its regional influence over the perception that Germany and Poland are rivals. In this context, Washington weakens Europe’s will and possibility to act independently by creating a competitive environment within Europe.
One of the main strategies determined by Germany against this policy of the USA was to turn to Latin America. Because when we look at the conjuncture in the world, Latin America is one of the places where anti-US actors are seen most intensely. The rise of the left wave in the region gives Germany the opportunity to further weaken the US influence in Latin America.
In this context, a high-level visit from Germany to Latin America was made recently. The purpose of German Chancellor Olaf Scholz’s visit to Brazil, Argentina and Chile is to reduce ostensibly its dependence on China, increase energy cooperation and contribute to the strengthening of democracies.[1] The common features of all three states are that they are among the most important actors of Latin America and that they are ruled by left leaders.
The emphasis on dependency on China, energy and democracy in Scholz’s visit, which had to reconsider its relations with Russia and China under the pressure of the USA, is important. Because of its strained relations with Eurasian countries, Berlin has problems in supplying various raw materials and minerals. At this point, it focused on the underground resources of Latin America to reduce its dependence on China.
On the other hand, Germany faced an energy crisis by minimizing its relations with Russia due to the war. In this environment, Berlin’s interest in energy sources and renewable energy in Latin America has increased. Because cheap and sustainable energy supply is critical for a strong German economy. The potential of Latin American states will also provide relief for Germany in this process.
These two topics can be seen as directly related to the economic interests of Germany and indirectly related to the competition with the USA. However, the emphasis on democracy is critical. Because the USA does not want the rise of left leaders and administrations in the region that it sees as its backyard. For this reason, the Washington administration, which supported various military coups in the region during the Cold War, is still trying to remove the left leaders from power by various means and, if necessary, by military coups.
At this point, Scholz’s visit is of great importance. Because in previous periods, the left-wing leaders of Brazil and Argentina were suspended from their duties or put on trial with various controversial decisions. Scholz’s visit can be seen as a support to the current administrations. This situation creates an environment that the USA does not want. Because the Monroe Doctrine, which was declared by the USA to make Latin America its backyard, was again declared against European actors. In addition, Washington does not want Europe, which it has been protecting against the Soviet Union threat for many years, to adopt a policy contrary to itself. Therefore, it can be argued that Scholz’s visit created the opposite situation.
Looking at the visits organized on a country basis, the former Lula da Silva, also known as a leftist, won the elections held in Brazil recently. Lula, who took the oath on January 1, 2023[2] had been firstly visited by German Chancellor Olaf Scholz.[3] Because, although Brazil is one of the most important actors in Latin America, it can play a critical role in weakening the influence of the USA and strengthening the anti-US front.
One of the most important developments of the meeting between Scholz and Lula is that Lula stated that Brazil is a country of peace and that he will not send weapons aid to Ukraine. Although the aforementioned situation is interpreted as not being able to get what he wants for Scholz, it is obvious that Germany is trying to strengthen its hand by giving the message that the countries in Latin America do not support the continuation of the war. Because most of the other Latin American countries do not support the continuation of the war. Therefore, the visit in question is not of Germany; It can be read as a loss of the USA.[4]
On the other hand, Argentina, which has recently been included in China’s Belt-Road Project, is one of the states where anti-USA is high.[5] It is also possible to mention that there are historically deep-rooted relations between Germany and Argentina.
However, one of the issues discussed in Argentina is the approval of the free trade agreement between the European Union (EU) and the South American Common Market (Mercosur). Thus, the commercial relations between Europe and Latin America will deepen and it will be possible to strengthen the relations between regions that want to act independently from the USA within a more institutional framework.[6]
Finally, when we look at Scholz’s visit to Chile, the country in question, together with Argentina, has a critical importance especially in terms of underground resources such as lithium. The underground resources of Argentina and Chile, which sit on the lithium triangle, are of vital importance at a time when the production of electric vehicles in the world is increasing. In addition, considering that there is an attempt to establish a “Lithium OPEC” among the states of the region and that China is likely to be an effective actor here, it is quite understandable that Germany does not want to stay away from this process.[7] It is also known that Germany wants to invest in Chile’s copper mines and renewable energy resources.[8]
As a result, while Germany wants to make Europe its backyard; Due to the policies of the USA, it has turned to the backyard of this country. Despite the weakening of German influence in Europe, the Berlin administration wants to weaken the influence of the USA in Latin America. At this point, while Germany’s relations with Russia and China were strained by the pressure of the USA; Berlin also wants to disrupt the relations of the USA with the Latin American states. In this process, although Germany approaches Latin America with soft rhetoric, it is actually trying to lay the groundwork for a Europe that will act more independently from the USA in the background. In addition, the Berlin administration is trying to build a sphere of influence in Latin America through its bilateral relations.
[1] “German Chancellor Visits Three Key Latin American Countries in Bid Boost Energy Cooperation”, Euronews, https://www.euronews.com/2023/01/30/german-chancellor-visits-three-key-latin-american-countries-in-bid-boost-energy-cooperatio, (Date of Accession: 06.02.2023).
[2] Soledad Quartucci, “Lula da Silva is Sworn in as President of Brazil”, Latina Republic, https://latinarepublic.com/2023/01/02/lula-da-silva-is-sworn-in-as-president-of-brazil/, (Date of Accession: 06.02.2023).
[3] “German Chancellor Visits Three Key Latin American Countries…”, op.cit.
[4] “Lula Won’t Send Arms to Ukraine: “Brazil Is a Country of Peace””, TeleSur, https://www.telesurenglish.net/news/Lula-Wont-Send-Arms-to-Ukraine-Brazil-Is-a-Country-of-Peace-20230130-0027.html, (Date of Accession: 06.02.2023).
[5] Fermin Koop, “Argentina Joins China’s Belt and Road Initiative”, Dialogo Chino, https://dialogochino.net/en/trade-investment/argentina-joins-china-belt-and-road-initiative/, (Date of Accession: 06.02.2023).
[6] “Scholz Calls for Swift EU-Mercosur Free Trade Deal on First South America Trip”, The National News, https://www.thenationalnews.com/world/europe/2023/01/29/scholz-calls-for-swift-eu-mercosur-free-trade-deal-on-first-south-america-trip/, (Date of Accession: 06.02.2023).
[7] Emrah Kaya, ““Lityum OPEC’i” ve Çin-ABD Rekabeti”, ANKASAM, https://www.ankasam.org/lityum-opeci-ve-cin-abd-rekabeti/, (Date of Accession: 06.02.2023).
[8] Sarah Marsh, “Scholz Seeks to Secure More Critical Minerals on South America Tour”, Reuters, https://www.reuters.com/markets/commodities/scholz-seeks-secure-more-critical-minerals-south-america-tour-2023-01-30/, (Date of Accession: 06.02.2023).
