Week 4 January

Is China eating America’slunch in Latin America?

By: Eric Farnworth

Date published: 25^th January 2012. Date accessed: 26^th January 2012.

Summary: China have been profiting well in terms of economic with Latin America. Furthermore, China is the top trading partner of Brazil, Chile, Peru and Argentina. China has invested almost $44 billion in Latin America only in 2010. The Chinese trading with the Latin America is growing bigger and bigger and in concerns the United States when they cannot really do anything due to the Cold War hemisphere complications. Lastly, this trading between China and Latin America has unequal benefits to the Latin America.  

Response: This article relates back to the study of Global Issue where China economic is growing larger and larger by day. Even the United States of America owe debts to China. This trade between China and Latin America will certainly concern the USA for it includes unequal benefits to the Latin America. In the end every country is just trying to be superior to other nations just like what China is doing; only care about their benefits, nothing else.

Vocabulary:

1.      Erode (verb)

a.       “Long accustomed to its role as the dominant player in the Americas, the United States is now seeing that position eroded by the increasing footprint of China in the Americas.”

b.      To diminish or destroy by degrees. Origin: Latin erodere to eat away; first use 1612. (Merriam-webster.com)

c.       The report cards have been eroding students’ hope for good colleges in the near future.

2.      Commodities  (noun)

a.       “Of course, nations that are not supplying significant amounts of commodities to China, including Mexico and Central America, view China more as an aggressive competitor than as an economic partner.”

b.      Economic goods. Origin: Middle English commoditee; first used in 15^th century. (Merriam-webster.com)

c.       In biology class, we learn that oil is a commodity that has a high demand in today’s world.

3.      Prevail (verb)

a.       “Since the end of the Cold War, Latin America has struggled to develop a regime of democratic behavior that is intended to prevail in the hemispheric community of nations.”

b.      To gain ascendancy through strength or superiority. Origin: Middle English, from Latin praevalere- to be strong. (Merriam-webster.com)

c.       Respects between teacher and student are prevailing throughout classrooms to classrooms.