FRESH TAIPOLOGY VIDEO: "They're powerful, but they're powerful for like three hours." <== veteran Brazilian journalist @nelson_de_sa with a reminder that we can't underestimate American power, but historically they've had no staying power. Not without incurring big losses in blood and treasure. Yes, all Latin American countries are vulnerable from the Donroe Doctrine. But it is one thing to capture a leader in one fell swoop, another to alter the economic relationship of a whole hemisphere with China. "Even the very right-wing pro-American leaders end up trading with China because that's where the money is." Even Bolsenaro was no exception. The complimentary nature of South America's economy with China is well-noted. While rare earths are usually cited as the difference-maker in terms of China winning the Tariff War with the US, the humble soybean was another powerful lever. Because Brazil and Argentina can sell China all the soybean China needs, China could viabily threaten American soybean sales. If anything, says Nelson, the biggest barrier to closer relations to China is the chinese refusal to open markets to Brazilian manufactured goods. "We want to sell them planes, but they don't accept us as a manufacturer. They only want to buy things that come out of the ground." Relationships got so frosty at one point that Brazil actually TURNED DOWN PANDAS. "Yes, we were brave for that one." As a consolation prize Brazil is getting things like BYD plants where they can build EVs to sell to Europe. "It's all about jobs. You don't create a lot of jobs selling soybeans and ores." China is "not going to be the savior" when it comes to LatAm countries. Not only is it not an option to get involved militarily, Nelson reckons China isn't even going to use trade levers to help allies. "Why would they?" When it comes to his coverage, Nelson says Brazilians cannot get enough of China's technical progress. "Everybody wants to see more of the magical China. And they say no other country can copy them, but we all wonder if there are aspects we can learn from." Link to video in the replies: