China's global agro-geopolitics: implications for Argentina (2003 - 2017)

Abstract

With just 7% of the planet’s arable land and 6% of its water resources, China has to feed 22% of the world population. In this context, Latin American countries' geo-economic role is central: they have become key suppliers of agricultural products for China. During this century, not only have trade relations with the region turned crucial, but also Chinese investments have risen remarkably: from the 100 biggest companies that come from developing countries to invest in Latin America, 44 of them are Chinese, and, most of them, State-owned enterprises. So, mostly through trade, but increasingly through direct investments in Latin America, China has managed to assure its energy resources, raw materials and food supply. Considering those transformations, this paper examines the arrival of Chinese agribusiness firms to Argentina. The central aim is to identify the most relevant features of the Chinese new global agro-geopolitical strategy and its implications for the Argentine model of growth and its pattern of international insertion.