The United States did not push Latin America and the Caribbean into China’s arms, but by pulling back, it created space for others to fill. Now, it appears that the United States seeks a course correction.

For China the Arctic represents a largely blank geoeconomic canvas outside of the United States’ sphere of influence in which it can lay the foundation today for significant economic and geopolitical rewards in the future.

The US faces three difficult questions.

China’s most recent strides in Latin America are due in large part to a series of carefully crafted policies that advance China’s own interests while addressing Latin America’s top development priorities. The U.S. risks losing influence, competitiveness, and control in Latin America.

The release of China’s Arctic White Paper in late January brought broad attention to China’s somewhat nascent but rapidly expanding role and interests in the Arctic region. Even though most of the information in the White Paper is not new, initiatives such as the Polar Silk Road could indicate a coming surge in China’s political and economic endeavors in the Arctic.

South Korea’s efforts to have North Korea participate in the PyeongChang Winter Olympics may have yielded an opportunity for dialogue in the form of Kim Jong-un’s recent summit invitation to South Korean President Moon Jae-in. If President Moon accepts, a South-North summit could provide an opportunity to test whether diplomacy can resolve the crisis over North Korea’s nuclear and missile programs.

Prudence needs to be exercised, and more dialogue and cooperation is the best strategy.

Trump’s antics have frayed the transatlantic alliance.

Is the Monroe Doctrine back?

Major-country diplomacy with Chinese characteristics for the new era is the natural evolution of China’s achievements, development, and innovation over the past 70 years.