CHINA’S TRADE SPECIALIZATION PATTERN WITH LATIN AMERICAN AND AFRICAN ECONOMIES: REVISITING THE CORE-PERIPHERY DICHOTOMY

Abstract

China’s economic rise has led to the rethinking of international relations not only between developed and developing economies, but also within developing economies. This paper compares the trade pattern established between China and Latin American and African economies in the 21st century. Results show that the importance assumed by China through asymmetrical trade relations with other developing peers renews core-periphery development concerns central to the structuralist theory. It is highlighted that there are important differences observed among countries, but overall relations should move toward greater economic and technological upgrading, as both Latin American and African economies face difficulties to industrialize or, in some cases, the risk of deindustrialization.

Keywords

• china
• latin america
• africa
• trade
• structuralism