As Peru’s economy surges, its government pursues free trade pacts with some of Asia’s largest economies—most recently South Korea.

China may be a step ahead in terms of Latin American trade and investment, but the region has started looking to fast-growing India as another opportunity to ramp up Asian commercial ties.

During her visit to China, Argentine President Cristina Fernández de Kirchner secured $12 billion worth of pledges from Beijing, primarily for her country’s rail system. But the trip fell short of resolving a Chinese ban on Argentine soybean oil.

China's emergence as a strong trade partner in the Western Hemisphere is having far-reaching implications that may be little appreciated or understood, writes COA Vice President Eric Farnsworth in The Los Angeles Times.

COA Vice President Eric Farnsworth spoke at a panel discussion on China's emerging role in Latin America and the Caribbean at the Center for Strategic and International Studies.

A new Chinese financing plan provides $20 billion in loans for Venezuela. The series of accords signed includes plans for a joint venture for exploration in the oil-rich Orinoco belt and secures Venezuelan oil for energy-hungry China.

Brasilia plays host this week to its fellow BRIC members, highlighting Moscow and Beijing’s hemispheric ties. China’s President Hu Jintao will also visit Venezuela and Chile while Russia's Dmitry Medvedev heads to Argentina.