Today — China and Brazil: a trade partnership now topping $150 billion, fueled by soy, oil, and green tech. But while Beijing deepens its foothold in Latin America’s largest economy, where is Washington? Some analysts say the US is quietly stepping back — distracted by rivalries elsewhere and losing influence in its own ‘backyard.’ From Brazil’s Belt and Road flirtation to the shrinking appeal of dollar-denominated deals, we’re asking: Is the US ceding ground in Latin America on purpose? Later, we’ll talk to an economist in São Paulo about why Chinese infrastructure loans are outpacing US investment — and what that means for regional politics. In this special episode, we will talk about all the details.

Guest Info: Dr. Marcus Vinicius De Freitas is Senior Fellow at Policy Center for the New South, focusing on International Law, International Relations and Brazil, and is currently a Visiting Professor of International Law and International Relations at China Foreign Affairs University in Beijing, China.