Benedicte Bull: Latin American Elites and Their Relationship with China

As part of its Latin American section, Saint Pierre—a platform dedicated to geopolitical and economic analysis from a global perspective—presents an interview by Joaquín Sáez with renowned Norwegian scholar Benedicte Bull, a leading expert on Latin America’s relations with extra-regional powers. Bull is a professor at the University of Oslo and director of the Network for Research on Latin America (NorLARNet). Her extensive research focuses on the influence of political and business elites in shaping development trajectories, governance, and international engagement across Latin America. In this conversation, she offers a critical perspective on the pivotal role these elites play in mediating relations with China, highlighting the interplay between local agencies and Beijing’s strategic interests.

SPCIS: Welcome, Professor Benedicte Bull. Your research focuses on the role of elites in Latin America and their influence on relations with China. Why did you choose this topic?

Benedicte Bull: Thank you. My interest began during my doctoral studies, where I examined privatization processes in Central America. I observed that, more than external actors like the World Bank, it was local elites—both business and political—who shaped outcomes. This also applies to China: its presence in the region isn’t just driven by its own interests but by how local elites channel those investments.

SPCIS: Chile and Venezuela present starkly different cases. What factors shaped their relationships with China?

Benedicte Bull: In Chile, the relationship started with entrepreneurs seeking markets for products like copper, fruit, and wine. Over time, it became institutionalized under clear rules, reflecting a stable elite aligned with a neoliberal model. Venezuela, on the other hand, began its ties under Chávez, pursuing oil financing and political alliances. But corruption and a lack of diversification led to the failure of many projects.

SPCIS: China announces grand projects, like bioceanic corridors or electrification initiatives, lithium extraction and so on. How do you interpret this?

Benedicte Bull: China thinks in the long term. Many projects resurface despite obstacles because they aim to build "strategic communities." Venezuela is the exception—projects announced between 2006 and 2015 are effectively dead. In other countries, like Chile, they persist, though challenges like investment opacity remain.

SPCIS: China’s image in Latin America is mixed. How is China addressing this?

Benedicte Bull: China is increasingly aware of its image, but its development paradigm—centered on economic growth—clashes with local priorities like environmental protection or indigenous rights. There are advances, such as Chinese firms adopting ESG criteria, but tensions endure.

SPCIS: The concept of "ecological civilization" is gaining traction in China. Could this align with Latin America’s sustainability goals?

Benedicte Bull: It’s an interesting parallel. On paper, "ecological civilization" resembles the UN’s sustainable development framework. But in practice, it lacks limits on growth, much like older Western models. During a visit to China, even local scholars questioned its meaning—it’s a flexible, top-down concept filled with content by implementers. While China has made strides in climate policy, its resource extraction rates remain high, creating contradictions.

SPCIS: How transferable are China’s sustainability policies to Latin America, given elite influence?

Benedicte Bull: Elites can be facilitators where interests align, like renewable energy investments. But they may resist policies that curb natural resource exploitation. Chinese initiatives aren’t imposed directly; they’re broad concepts meant to foster consensus. For example, CELAC-China Forum declarations blend Chinese and Latin American ideas, but actual projects depend on bilateral deals.

SPCIS: With U.S.-China tensions rising, how should Latin America position itself?

Benedicte Bull: Strategic diversification is key. Countries shouldn’t break ties with the U.S. or China but seek balanced engagement. Europe, despite its own crises, remains a critical partner—it shares values like transparency and sustainability, which are under strain elsewhere. Latin America must craft proactive strategies, not just react to great-power competition.

SPCIS: Final thoughts?

Benedicte Bull: The watchword is diversification. Overdependence on China risks replicating the commodity-export traps of the past. Latin America needs to leverage its partnerships wisely—whether with China, Europe, or the U.S.—to build resilient economies and safeguard democratic values.