U.S.-China Rivalry Hits South American Skies
The U.S. has pressured Argentina and Chile to halt two Chinese telescope projects in the Andes, worried they could be used to track U.S. satellites or communicate with Chinese ones.
The campaign began under Biden and intensified under Trump, framed as an updated Monroe Doctrine to counter China's growing footprint in Latin America.
Argentine President Javier Milei, backed by a $20 billion U.S. lifeline before last year's midterms, has cooled his earlier warmth toward Beijing, though China remains deeply entwined with Argentina's economy through trade, mining, and infrastructure.
A new U.S.-Argentina trade agreement even includes language limiting Argentina's space cooperation with other countries.
China calls the U.S. position "ridiculous" and accuses Washington of "hegemonism," noting the U.S. operates its own telescopes in the region.
Source: NYT