(MENAFN- Kuwait News Agency (KUNA)) WASHINGTON, Feb 2 (KUNA) -- US Secretary of State Rex Tillerson stressed Thursday that Latin America does not need "new imperial powers that seek only to benefit their own people." In Austin, Texas, Tillerson said "China's state-led model of development is reminiscent of the past. It doesn't have to be this hemisphere's future." He added that China is "now the largest trading partner of Chile, Argentina, Brazil, and Peru," and that "while this trade has brought benefits, the unfair trading practices used by many Chinese have also harmed these countries' manufacturing sectors, generating unemployment and lowering wages for workers." "Russia's growing presence in the region is alarming as well, as it continues to sell arms and military equipment to unfriendly regimes who do not share or respect democratic values," he remarked.
The US top diplomat stressed "our region must be diligent to guard against faraway powers who do not reflect the fundamental values shared in this region." Tillerson is traveling to Mexico, Argentina, Peru, Colombia and Jamaica from February 1-7 where he will engage with regional partners to promote a safe, prosperous, energy secure, and democratic hemisphere.
According to the Department of State, throughout his travel, Tillerson "will advocate for increased regional attention to the crisis in Venezuela." (end) si.mb
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