No Latin America
Romney's exceptionalist vision of foreign policy is very concerning
Latin America was conspicuous by its absence in the presidential candidates’ debate on foreign policy. This is not a coincidence, but a reflection that America’s international priorities remain far from the region.
The Obama administration’s foreign policy has been absorbed by the Middle EastArab Spring, Islamic terrorism, and Iranwhile refocusing attention on China as its main global rival and on other issues ranging from the European crisis to the uncertainties surrounding the regime in North Korea.
It is good that Latin America is not included on the United States’ list of priority conflicts or threats. But that doesn’t mean the region should fall off the country’s radar.
It is a monumental error, for example, to fail to recognize that Latin America is a battleground of trade, where U.S. absence opens doors for China and Russia.
In last Monday’s debate, the only mention of Latin America was made by former Governor Romney, referencing its potential as a market. He then turned to the cliché of naming Hugo Chávez and Fidel Castro in arguing the “weaknesses” of Obama’s foreign policy.
On the trade front, the Obama administration took positive action, pushing through free trade agreements with Colombia and Panama. But the president’s 2009 message to the region of an “equal partnership” with Latin Americain contrast to the highhanded positions taken by the United States in the pasthas not taken shape in many concrete actions.
On this point, we are concerned by the vision expressed by Romney on numerous occasions regarding American exceptionalism in the world, a point of view that has led to our nation’s worst foreign policy errors. Romney displayed this when he said in the debate that “America has not dictated to other nations. We have freed other nations from dictators.”
This may win points with voters, but it is a good example of arrogance bred by ignorance. Latin America, like the rest of the world, remembers Washington-backed dictators well. Now Romney is threatening to revive the worst of American foreign policy.
