Cuban spy-base allegations, new Trump tariffs: 7 Latin America relations reads

We have selected seven of the most interesting and important news stories covering Latin American relations from the past few weeks. If you would like to see more of our reporting, please consider subscribing.1. Chile’s Kast courts China day after US hits exports with forced labour tariffPhoto: HandoutChilean President Jose Antonio Kast received China’s ambassador to Santiago, Niu Qingbao, at the La Moneda Palace, in an encounter that lasted more than an hour and marked the first meeting between the two men since the right-wing leader took office in March 2026.Read the full story here.2. Brazil is now the world’s biggest buyer of Chinese cars: China customsPhoto: HandoutBrazil overtook Russia and Belgium in the first five months of 2026 to become the world’s largest importer of Chinese cars, buying US$5.2 billion worth of vehicles as brands raced to land shipments before a tariff increase took effect.