venerdì 30 gennaio 2026

The brain drain - young people moving abroad or from the South to the North for work. In response to a conversation with one of my students from the Friday class. Check with other sources if you think this is an accurate picture.

https://en.ilsole24ore.com/art/italy-is-not-a-country-of-young-people-for-every-nine-under-34-who-go-abroad-only-advanced-economies-arrive-AIUVb3E

Il 75% dei giovani italiani under 30 è disposto a trasferirsi all'estero per lavoro, con oltre 100.000 partenze annue tra il 2022 e il 2023, spesso dirette verso Regno Unito, Germania, Spagna e Svizzera. Le motivazioni principali includono la ricerca di migliori prospettive di carriera, salari più alti, competenze manageriali e amministrative, in particolare in settori come la cooperazione internazionale e il business. 

Ecco i dettagli sulle opportunità per i giovani italiani che cercano esperienze all'estero:

  • Destinazioni Principali: Regno Unito (Londra è la più gettonata), Germania, Svizzera, Spagna e Francia.
  • Programmi e Opportunità:
    • Erasmus per Giovani Imprenditori: Offre la possibilità di imparare da imprenditori esperti in altri Paesi europei, senza limiti di età.
    • EURES Targeted Mobility Scheme (TMS): Supporta la mobilità professionale con servizi personalizzati, corsi di lingua e assistenza per il trasferimento.
    • Tirocini e Stage: Molto diffusi sono i tirocini presso le istituzioni europee, organizzazioni internazionali (es. FAO), e nel settore del lavoro alla pari.
  • Settori Chiave per Competenze: Amministrazione, business, cooperazione internazionale, turismo, istruzione.
  • Il Fenomeno "Brain Drain" e "Brain Gain": Sebbene ci sia una forte emigrazione qualificata (35% dei giovani considera l'estero), un numero crescente di giovani, circa il 33%, prende in considerazione il rientro, attratto anche da agevolazioni fiscali per i professionisti, come la detassazione fino al 50% del reddito per 5 anni.
  • Profilo dei Giovani: Spesso si tratta di laureati e giovani professionisti in cerca di ambienti di lavoro più efficienti e valorizzanti

https://www.hr-link.it/giovani-italiani-all-estero-3-su-4-pronti-a-trasferirsi-per-lavoro/

https://www.cnel.it/Comunicazione-e-Stampa/Notizie/ArtMID/1174/ArticleID/6115/CNEL-PRESENTS-FIRST-REPORT-%E2%80%9CITALY%E2%80%99S-ATTRACTIVENESS-TO-YOUNG-PEOPLE-FROM-ADVANCED-COUNTRIES%E2%80%9D#:~:text=%E2%80%9CI%20would%20like%20to%20make,in%20order%20to%20offer%20opportunities%E2%80%9D.

Oltre 100.000 giovani italiani all'anno (25-34 anni), inclusi molti diplomati e non solo laureati, si trasferiscono all'estero per cercare migliori opportunità lavorative e acquisire competenze (skills) in settori come affari, amministrazione, ristorazione e servizi, principalmente nel Regno Unito, Germania, Svizzera, Francia e Spagna. Le motivazioni principali includono la ricerca di migliori opportunità di carriera (25%), formazione (19,2%) e una qualità della vita superiore. 

Ecco i dettagli sulle tendenze di emigrazione giovanile italiana:

  • Profilo e Motivazioni: Anche senza laurea, molti giovani partono per arricchire il proprio curriculum, imparare nuove lingue e acquisire "soft skills" e competenze amministrative/manageriali in contesti internazionali. Spesso la scelta è guidata dal desiderio di fare esperienza, più che dalla disperazione.
  • Destinazioni Principali: Nel 2024, le mete principali per i giovani italiani in cerca di lavoro sono state il Regno Unito (26,5%), seguito da Germania (21,2%), Svizzera (13%), Francia (10,9%) e Spagna (8,2%).
  • Settori e Competenze: Chi si trasferisce all'estero senza una laurea spesso trova impiego nel settore dei servizi, ristorazione, bar, o come operai specializzati, dove imparano a gestire le operazioni commerciali.
  • Supporto all'emigrazione: Strumenti come il portale Eures (per la mobilità professionale in Europa) e programmi come "Your First Eures Job" sono fondamentali per trovare opportunità lavorative, specialmente in posizioni di amministrazione e affari. 

Le principali motivazioni per questa "fuga" includono migliori opportunità di lavoro (25%), migliori opportunità di studio e formazione (19,2%) e una qualità della vita superiore (17,1%).

https://www.metropolitano.it/giovani-allestero-non-occorre-la-laurea-per-espatriare/#:~:text=Come%20incidono%20le%20condizioni%20di,percentuale%20nulla%20tra%20gli%20avvantagiati.

However

In 2025, a growing number of young Italians are returning to Italy, bringing advanced skills from abroad and benefitting from a rejuvenating job market. Key drivers include massive public sector hiring (175,000 new roles in 2025), digitalization, and opportunities in the green transition sector. While the "brain drain" remains a challenge, 2025 data shows a shift with increased opportunities in IT, engineering, and sustainable, this article from Fondazione Pirelli says that companies are looking to hire 800,000 people. 

Key Trends for 2025 Returns:

  • Public Sector Opportunities: A 2025 report by Evrim Ağacı states that over 600,000 new employees are expected to enter the public administration between 2022 and 2024, with another 175,000 hires planned for 2025. This includes a push toward digitalization, AI, and modernized, according to a 2025 report from Evrim Ağacı, these roles are becoming more attractive to young people.
  • Green Economy Growth: According to EURES, 2025 projects high demand for specialists in the ecological transition, including roles in sustainable agriculture, renewable energy, and circular economy sectors.
  • In-Demand Skills: Y-Axis reports that top in-demand skills in Italy for 2025 include software development, data analytics, cybersecurity, and advanced engineering roles like mechatronics and AI.
  • Quality of Life Factors: A 2025 report from CNEL indicates that young people are increasingly looking for work-life balance and high-impact, innovative roles, which are now becoming more available in Italy.
  • Strategic Hubs: A 2025 Youtube video suggests that while Milan remains a top choice for corporate jobs, cities like Bologna and Florence are also becoming popular for their walkability and quality of life. 

Despite these improvements, the country is still navigating a net loss of young talent, with many continuing to leave due to low wages, making the 2025 return trend a critical point for economic renewal. 

https://italoamericano.org/italians-returning-to-italy/#:~:text=Many%20returnees%20also%20see%20their,flexible%20or%20meritocratic%20systems%20abroad.

 Oltre 130 mila giovani italiani, inclusi molti diplomati, emigrano per necessità, spesso trovando impiego in fabbrica all'estero, spinti da stipendi migliori e minori prospettive in Italia. Germania, Svizzera e Regno Unito sono le principali destinazioni, attratti da salari superiori del 42% rispetto all'Italia e percorsi di carriera più rapidi, anche senza laurea. 

Ecco i dettagli salienti del fenomeno:

  • Destinazioni e Settori: I giovani si dirigono principalmente in Germania, Spagna, Regno Unito, Svizzera e Francia. Molti lavorano in settori manifatturieri e industriali, dove in Italia spesso mancano figure specializzate, ma all'estero trovano migliori condizioni.
  • Motivazioni del trasferimento:
    • Salari: Un neolaureato all'estero guadagna significativamente di più, spesso oltre il 40% in più rispetto all'Italia.
    • Opportunità: Ricerca di migliori opportunità lavorative (25%), formazione (19,2%) e qualità della vita (17,1%).
    • Precarietà in Italia: La fuga è alimentata dal precariato e da contratti temporanei che bloccano la crescita professionale.
  • Profilo dei Migranti: Non sono solo "cervelli in fuga" (laureati), ma anche giovani diplomati che cercano lavoro nel settore produttivo e manifatturiero.
  • Impatto: Tra il 2011 e il 2023, circa 550mila giovani (18-34 anni) hanno lasciato l'Italia, creando una perdita economica per il Paese stimata tra i 5 e i 15 miliardi di euro all'anno. 

Il fenomeno evidenzia come, oltre ai laureati, anche i diplomati cerchino all'estero la valorizzazione professionale che faticano a trovare nel mercato del lavoro italiano. 

https://www.conquistedellavoro.it/attualit%C3%A0/la-lunga-diaspora-dei-giovani-italiani-1.3349964#:~:text=L'aumento%20%2D%20fa%20sapere%20Istat,%C3%A8%20riconducibile%20al%20rientro%20in

And in Italy

La migrazione interna dal Sud al Nord Italia coinvolge annualmente decine di migliaia di giovani, inclusi non laureati, alla ricerca di migliori opportunità lavorative e occupazione stabile. Nonostante la crescente fuga di laureati (circa il 34% del totale tra 2001-2021), il flusso riguarda anche diplomati e figure professionali tecniche. 

  • Destinazioni e Lavori: I giovani si spostano principalmente verso le regioni settentrionali per impieghi nel settore dei servizi, industria, artigianato e commercio.
  • Ruoli Cercati: Tra le posizioni più richieste per chi non ha una laurea figurano assistenti sanitari, commessi, pizzaioli, cuochi, agenti immobiliari e operatori nel digital marketing.
  • Motivazioni: La ricerca di un lavoro dignitoso e il superamento del cosiddetto "lavoro povero" nel Mezzogiorno sono i principali motori della migrazione interna, con il Nord che offre una maggiore offerta lavorativa.
  • Contesto: Il fenomeno persiste da vent'anni, con circa 100mila persone che lasciano il Sud ogni anno per il Centro-Nord. 

https://informareonline.com/ogni-anno-100mila-giovani-lasciano-il-sud-per-il-nord-italia/#:~:text=ma%20al%20nord.-,Ogni%20anno%20100mila%20persone%20lasciano%20il%20sud%20per%20il%20nord,per%20arginare%20il%20lavoro%20povero.

Between 2011 and 2024, approximately 484,000 young people migrated from southern Italy to the north for employment, driven by better job prospects and a, significant economic divide. While often associated with brain drain, this, trend includes many, individuals without degrees seeking opportunities. This movement, particularly, towards the North-West and North-East, remains a, major, internal demographic shift. 

Key Findings (2015-2025 Trends)

  • Mass Migration: A significant portion of young people in the south face, high unemployment and seek better opportunities in the north.
  • Destination & Demographic: Many, young people, are moving toward the north-west (240k) and north-east (163k) regions.
  • Skill Levels: The migration is not limited to highly educated individuals, with a large, portion of migrants having lower or intermediate education levels.
  • Economic Drivers: The enduring, economic divide between the north and south, characterized by better, wages and employment in the north, continues to fuel this,, migration. 

Consequences

  • Regional Imbalance: The persistent, loss of young people hinders economic development in the south.
  • Demographic Crisis: This, trend, along with, overall low birth rates, exacerbates Italy’s shrinking population, which has been declining since 2014.
  • Social Impact: The, lack of local,, opportunities, leads, to, a, continued, risk of, youth,, in the south, becoming involved in, illicit, activities or, needing, to,, relocate,. 

https://www.wantedinrome.com/news/more-southerners-head-north.html#:~:text=Migration%20from%20the%20south%20of,each%20year%20is%20around%2060%2C000.

giovedì 29 gennaio 2026

Global trade

Global trade is projected to hit a record high in 2025, exceeding $35 trillion for the first time, marking a 7% increase ($2.2 trillion) over 2024 levels, notes UN Trade and Development (UNCTAD). Growth is driven by a nearly 9% surge in services and robust goods trade, particularly in AI-related electronics and manufacturing, despite increased geopolitical tensions and protective trade policies. 

Key Drivers and Trends for 2025

Sector Performance: Merchandise trade is expected to grow, with AI-related goods contributing significantly to the increase. Services trade remains strong, with a projected 9% increase.

Regional Drivers: Developing economies, particularly in East Asia and Africa, continue to drive trade expansion.

Geopolitical Factors: The shift toward friendshoring and nearshoring is accelerating, alongside rising protectionism and policy uncertainty.

China: China posted a record USD 1.189 trillion trade surplus in 2025, with exports rising 5.5% while imports were flat. Faced with Trump's tariffs, Chinese exporters shifted production away from the US market and toward alternative destinations, particularly the EU and Southeast Asia.

Structural Changes: Investments in digital infrastructure and green transitions are reshaping global value chains. 

2024-2026 Trend

2024 Context: In 2024, global trade was expected to reach $33 trillion, with services growing at 7% and goods at 2%.

2025 Growth: The 7% growth in 2025 represents an acceleration compared to 2024, driven by volume increases outpacing price changes.

Outlook: While 2025 shows strong, record-breaking growth, projections suggest a potential slowdown in trade growth for 2026

https://unctad.org/news/global-trade-hit-record-35-trillion-despite-slowing-momentum

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MKgSr7c_QPs&t=45s

https://unctad.org/publication/global-trade-update-december-2025-global-trade-poised-record-breaking-2025-flows#:~:text=If%20projections%20hold%2C%20global%20trade,goods%20and%202%25%20for%20services.

https://tradingeconomics.com/china/balance-of-trade

https://www.reuters.com/world/china/chinas-trade-ends-2025-with-record-trillion-dollar-surplus-despite-trump-tariffs-2026-01-14/#:~:text=BEIJING%2C%20Jan%2014%20(Reuters),pressure%20from%20the%20Trump%20administration.

mercoledì 28 gennaio 2026

Listening Comprehension - Secretary of State Marco Rubio Testifies on Venezuela

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I8BzUlc2lvI

EU trade agreements

https://policy.trade.ec.europa.eu/eu-trade-relationships-country-and-region/negotiations-and-agreements_en

The EU and India

https://www.ispionline.it/it/pubblicazione/lintesa-europa-india-in-un-mondo-diviso-228406

https://ec.europa.eu/commission/presscorner/detail/en/ip_26_184

https://policy.trade.ec.europa.eu/eu-trade-relationships-country-and-region/countries-and-regions/india/eu-india-agreements/memo-eu-india-free-trade-agreement-chapter-chapter-summary_en

The EU and Mercosur

https://commission.europa.eu/topics/trade/eu-mercosur-trade-agreement_en#:~:text=The%20EU%20already%20has%20trade,ties%20with%20Latin%20American%20countries.

https://accesspartnership.com/opinion/eu-mercosur-deal-game-changer-europe-latin-america/

https://ec.europa.eu/commission/presscorner/detail/en/qanda_24_6245

https://earth.org/the-eu-mercosur-deal-comes-with-serious-environmental-and-social-implications/

https://friendsoftheearth.eu/press-release/eu-leaders-approve-toxic-eu-mercosur-deal-amid-uproar-from-communities-small-producers/#:~:text=The%20measures%20do%20too%20little,More%20information%20here.

https://www.euronews.com/my-europe/2026/01/21/european-parliament-freezes-mercosur-deal-referring-it-to-eu-court-of-justice

https://batimes.com.ar/news/economy/merz-says-eu-mercosur-trade-deal-should-take-effect-provisionally.phtml

Japan

https://policy.trade.ec.europa.eu/eu-trade-relationships-country-and-region/countries-and-regions/japan_en

Canada

https://policy.trade.ec.europa.eu/eu-trade-relationships-country-and-region/countries-and-regions/canada_en 

EU - India trade agreement

https://www.ispionline.it/it/pubblicazione/lintesa-europa-india-in-un-mondo-diviso-228406

https://ec.europa.eu/commission/presscorner/detail/en/ip_26_184

https://policy.trade.ec.europa.eu/eu-trade-relationships-country-and-region/countries-and-regions/india/eu-india-agreements/memo-eu-india-free-trade-agreement-chapter-chapter-summary_en

sabato 24 gennaio 2026

China’s Belt and Road Initiative

What is it? A brief history, its objectives and a review of its evolution and current state.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Belt_and_Road_Initiative#:~:text=The%20initiative%20was%20launched%20by,21st%20Century%20Maritime%20Silk%20Road.

The Belt and Road Initiative primarily addresses an "infrastructure gap" and thus has the potential to accelerate economic growth across the Asia Pacific, Africa and Central and Eastern Europe. It is a central mechanism of Chinese foreign policy and development finance. The initial focus has been infrastructure investment, education, construction materials, railway and highway, automobile, real estate, power grid, and iron and steel. Already, some estimates list the Belt and Road Initiative as one of the largest infrastructure and investment projects in history, covering more than 68 countries. The BRI outlined six economic corridors for trade and investment connectivity.

The BRI develops new markets for Chinese firms, channels excess industrial capacity overseas, increases China's access to resources, and strengthens its ties with partner countries. The initiative generates its own export demand because Chinese loans enable participating countries to develop infrastructure projects involving Chinese firms, banks and expertise. The infrastructure developed also helps China to address the imbalance between its more developed eastern regions and its less developed western regions.

For developing countries, the BRI is appealing because of the opportunities it offers to alleviate their economic disadvantages relative to Western countries. The BRI offers them infrastructure development, financial assistance, and technical assistance from China. The increase in foreign direct investment and increased trade linkages also increases employment and poverty alleviation for these countries. The link below explains where the BRI stands today.

https://www.sanchez.vc/geocoded-special-reports/the-state-of-chinas-belt-and-road-initiative-august-2025 Very good!

By July 2025 roughly 150 countries had signed memoranda of understanding (MoUs) with China under the BRI, although a handful have re-evaluated or withdrawn (Italy in December 2023 and Panama in February 2025). GreenFDC calculates cumulative economic engagement (construction contracts + investment) since 2013 at US $1.308 trillion as of mid-2025. In fact, 2025 saw the highest BRI engagement ever for any year, with USD 128.4 billion in construction contracts and about USD 85.2 billion in investments; China's energy related engagement in 2025 were the highest in any period since the start of the BRI's reaching USD 93 billion.

The BRI’s new strategy:

Smaller – "small and beautiful" projects. After years of megaprojects, Beijing announced in November 2021 that BRI projects should be "small and beautiful"—i.e., better targeted, less wasteful and often co-financed.

Greener – China introduced a green taxonomy in 2020/2021 that put most fossil-fuel projects in a "red" category and committed in September 2021 to stop building new coal-fired power plants abroad. Green investments nonetheless account for a minority of new spending, and fossil-fuel engagements—especially oil and gas in the Middle East—remain significant.

Debt sustainability – China has engaged in debt workouts under the G-20's Debt Service Suspension Initiative (DSSI) and Common Framework. For example, China and France co-led a restructuring of US$6.3 billion of Zambia's debt in June 2023. The new emphasis on project finance and syndicated loans (e.g., Peru's Chancay port secured a US$975 million project loan) aims to reduce sovereign exposure

Private-sector participation – Private Chinese firms now lead many BRI investments, whereas state-owned enterprises (SOEs) dominated the first decade. This shift reflects domestic overcapacity, the drive to secure critical minerals and technology supply chains in a potential trade-war.

Geoeconomic competition. Alternatives to the BRI include the G7 Partnership for Global Infrastructure and Investment (PGII), which has mobilised over US$60 billion since 2021 and aims for US$200 billion by 2027; the EU Global Gateway; the India–Middle East–Europe Economic Corridor (IMEC); Japan's Quality Infrastructure; and GCC sovereign funds. While these initiatives are smaller than the BRI, they shape host-country options and raise standards.

Why Italy withdrew from the BRI and relations today:

https://www.iai.it/en/publications/c05/timing-everything-italy-withdraws-belt-and-road-initiative

https://www.euronews.com/my-europe/2024/07/28/italy-and-china-sign-a-3-year-plan-as-italian-leader-meloni-tries-to-reset-relations

https://www.unimpresa.it/disavanzio-italia-cina/70464#:~:text=In%20sei%20anni%20il%20disavanzo,importazioni%20italiane%20dai%20mercati%20cinesi.

https://www.dw.com/en/eu-china-relations-hit-rock-bottom-before-beijing-summit/a-73213412

https://www.economia-italia.com/meloni-asia-contratti-italia-investimenti-2026

https://chinaobservers.eu/italy-china-relations-the-diplomacy-of-conscious-pragmatism/

See the link at the bottom of the page – Italy’s “golden power” rules 

Has the BRI helped Africa and Asia to develop?

https://aec.afdb.org/en/papers/does-belt-and-road-initiative-boost-industrialization-empirical-evidence-africa-694

https://caspianpost.com/caucasus-caspian-intelligence/china-s-quiet-expansion-in-central-asia-and-the-caucasus-belt-and-road-strategy

Revently China has reduced lending to Africa

https://www.semafor.com/article/01/23/2026/china-pulls-back-on-funding-african-projects

https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cx2yl88wd3lo

Corruption in Africa remains a challenge to investment and develpment

https://theglobepost.com/2024/08/08/africa-corruption-barrier-investment/

Criticisms of the BRI:

https://vrfbharat.org/why-chinas-belt-and-road-initiative-is-failing-with-no-coherent-plan-and-no-end-in-sight/

https://www.euronews.com/2023/10/17/cash-corruption-crumbling-dams-thats-chinas-belt-and-road-initiative-10-years-in

https://thediplomat.com/2025/11/chinas-sahel-gamble-falters-as-insurgencies-rage/

However, one should return to the article we looked at before for a more positive view https://www.sanchez.vc/geocoded-special-reports/the-state-of-chinas-belt-and-road-initiative-august-2025

While China's leadership promoted a "green, high-quality" BRI at the 2023 forum, 2025 data reveal a return to large fossil-fuel and resource-backed deals.

https://greenfdc.org/china-belt-and-road-initiative-bri-investment-report-2025/

Chinese companies are now exporting to the African consumer markets

https://www.cnbc.com/2025/11/24/china-africa-expansion-shifts-infrastructure-resource-mining-consumer-goods-investment.html

A possible line of argument for an essay – Given China’s huge trade surplus (see the link below), it is vital that a significant proportion of these funds is recycled as investment back into the global economy. Countries may have doubts about the planning and effectiveness of particular BRI projects, overall management of the BRI, the environmental effects of the BRI, the risk of a debt-trap for poor countries and the potential export of the Chinese political model or its support for authoritarian regimes, a kind of neocolonialism. However, while all this calls for caution, careful monitoring and oversight and alternative investors and investment initiatives (the US and the EU?) or perhaps partnering China in these investments, blanket oppostion would seem to be unlikely to succeed. The EU is pushing to make sure that trade deals with China are fair while moving to protecting sectors it considers crucial for its economic and geopolitical security. A similar approach will need to be adopted by countries which have joined or are joining the BRI. Cauious cooperation and negotiation after careful assessment of the risks involved.

https://www.reuters.com/world/china/chinas-trade-ends-2025-with-record-trillion-dollar-surplus-despite-trump-tariffs-2026-01-14/#:~:text=BEIJING%2C%20Jan%2014%20(Reuters),pressure%20from%20the%20Trump%20administration.

https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2025/5/28/tidal-wave-how-75-nations-face-chinese-debt-crisis-in-2025

https://www.reuters.com/world/china/eu-toughen-trade-stance-china-germany-pivots-2025-11-20/

Italy’s “golden power” rules 

https://www.atlanticcouncil.org/in-depth-research-reports/report/italys-policy-on-china-the-belt-and-road-gamble-and-its-aftermath/ very clear


Latin America – challenges and opportunities

https://www.americasquarterly.org/article/latin-americas-changing-web-of-risks/

https://www.oecd.org/en/publications/expanding-social-protection-and-addressing-informality-in-latin-america_86c1fd38-en/full-report/introduction_a593b500.html

https://www.iadb.org/en/news/complexities-inequality-latin-america-and-caribbean

https://privatebank.jpmorgan.com/nam/en/insights/markets-and-investing/ideas-and-insights/latin-america-in-2026-between-promise-and-pressure-the-answer-is-optionality#:~:text=The%20region's%20underperformance%20is%20rooted,countries%20vulnerable%20to%20external%20shocks.

https://privatebank.jpmorgan.com/nam/en/insights/markets-and-investing/ideas-and-insights/latin-america-in-2026-between-promise-and-pressure-the-answer-is-optionality

https://americasmi.com/insights/latin-america-2026-economic-outlook/

https://commission.europa.eu/topics/trade/eu-mercosur-trade-agreement_en#:~:text=The%20EU%20already%20has%20trade,ties%20with%20Latin%20American%20countries.

https://accesspartnership.com/opinion/eu-mercosur-deal-game-changer-europe-latin-america/

https://ec.europa.eu/commission/presscorner/detail/en/qanda_24_6245

https://earth.org/the-eu-mercosur-deal-comes-with-serious-environmental-and-social-implications/

https://friendsoftheearth.eu/press-release/eu-leaders-approve-toxic-eu-mercosur-deal-amid-uproar-from-communities-small-producers/#:~:text=The%20measures%20do%20too%20little,More%20information%20here.

https://www.euronews.com/my-europe/2026/01/21/european-parliament-freezes-mercosur-deal-referring-it-to-eu-court-of-justice

https://batimes.com.ar/news/economy/merz-says-eu-mercosur-trade-deal-should-take-effect-provisionally.phtml

China’s growing presence in Latin America

https://chinaglobalsouth.com/analysis/2026-outlook-china-latin-america/

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ffJqMsCIU08&t=55s

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1-TehWi5rc0

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eEn-1hOdLK8

https://www.europarl.europa.eu/RegData/etudes/BRIE/2025/769504/EPRS_BRI(2025)769504_EN.pdf

https://rsis.edu.sg/rsis-publication/rsis/the-panama-canal-dispute-and-sino-us-competition-in-latin-america/