Central Louisiana News

WASHINGTON – U.S. Senators Bill Cassidy, M.D. (R-LA) and Michael Bennet (D-CO) and U.S. Representatives Maria Salazar (R-FL-27) and Adriano Espaillat (D-NY-13) have collaborated on an op-ed published in Fox News Digital, outlining their proposed Americas Act to address China's expanding influence in Latin America.

In their article, the lawmakers emphasized the urgency of the situation, stating, "U.S. policymakers have always treated our hemisphere as an afterthought." They highlighted China's increasing presence in the region, noting that "China has taken notice and used our absence to expand its influence and fuel instability in the region."

The Americas Act proposed by the legislators aims to create a trade partnership among Western Hemisphere countries to counter China's control over global manufacturing and geopolitics. The lawmakers asserted that their initiative would bring about significant changes in the region while addressing China's exploitation of forced labor, deceptive trade practices, and manipulation of supply chains.

The proposed Americas Act is designed to strengthen ties among Western Hemisphere democracies, combat corruption, promote democracy and the rule of law, and facilitate foreign direct investment. Additionally, the legislation includes measures to incentivize companies to relocate critical supply chains from China back to the Americas.

Moreover, the Americas Act includes provisions to exclude Uyghur forced labor from shared supply chains, support Latin America's energy transition, and enhance people-to-people connections through education and visa programs.

The lawmakers concluded their piece by emphasizing that the Americas Act is underpinned by a shared commitment to freedom, democracy, and opportunity, serving as a foundation for a more robust and stable hemisphere.

The legislators introduced the Americas Act in March 2024, aiming to leverage the economic potential of the Western Hemisphere while countering China's growing influence in the region. With over $37 trillion in combined economy and a shared commitment to common values, the Americas Act represents a strategic response to China's expanding presence in Latin America.