The China-Ecuador Free Trade Agreement (FTA) entered into force on May 1 after both sides finished their domestic legal procedures. The agreement would lower tariffs for Chinese steel and autos over time.

Today, China and El Salvador officially kicked off talks for a bilateral trade agreement.

In November, China's Customs agency issued sanitary and phytosanitary (SPS) measures for various goods from Colombia and Chile after state visits by their presidents, as well as aquatic, dairy, and animal products from a few other nations.

Uruguayan President Luis Lacalle Pou and four ministers finished a state visit to China last week. During the meetings, the two governments signed over 20 deals on the Belt and Road Initiative, trade, and investment.

Colombian President Gustavo Petro just finished a state visit in China this week. In addition to establishing a strategic partnership through a joint statement, the two sides also signed 12 cooperation deals, including several to bolster bilateral trade and investment.

During Chilean President Gabriel Boric's state trip to China this week, the two governments signed multiple deals, indicating further collaboration in lithium, trade, the Belt and Road Initiative, and industrial investment.

Over the past few years, a handful of Central American and Caribbean countries have switched their political allegiance from Taiwan to Mainland China. In all likelihood, these governments assume there will be financial benefits from forging diplomatic ties with China, including through more trade and investment with China. A study