All commentary & analysis

New Atlanticist

Jul 23, 2025

A terrorist designation should only be the start in weakening Mexican cartels

By Aaron Kolleda

The Trump administration’s designation of several Mexican drug cartels as foreign terrorist organizations must be followed by actions that meaningfully weaken those groups.

Conflict Defense Policy

New Atlanticist

Jul 17, 2025

The numbers that define the US-Brazil trade partnership

By Valentina Sader, Ignacio Albe

The US president has threatened to impose a 50 percent tariff on Brazil in August. Before then, take a deep data dive into the current bilateral trade relationship.

Brazil Economy & Business

New Atlanticist

Jul 16, 2025

Dispatch from Panama City: What’s behind the new optimism in US-Panama relations?

By María Fernanda Bozmoski

A recent visit to the Central American country revealed that while the excitement there is palpable, so is the pressure to deliver.

Economy & Business Latin America

New Atlanticist

Jul 10, 2025

Trump is threatening Brazil with a 50 percent tariff. How will Lula respond?

By Ricardo Sennes, Valentina Sader

The large tariff on Brazilian imports to the United States is set to take effect August 1, unless the US president and his counterpart in Brasília can strike a deal.

Brazil Politics & Diplomacy

New Atlanticist

Jul 8, 2025

What really came out of this year’s BRICS summit?

By Valentina Sader, Ignacio Albe

Russia’s and China’s presidents were absent. But there were nonetheless several notable outcomes from the recent BRICS summit in Brazil.

Brazil China
Photo of the flags of Mexico, Canada, and the United States by mstahlphoto from Getty Images Signature

Infographic

Jul 1, 2025

Americas economies in depth: Five years into the USMCA, US trade shifts closer to home

By the Adrienne Arsht Latin America Center

With the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA) marking its five-year anniversary, has the agreement made US trade more secure? This infographic breaks down how US trade patterns have evolved under the agreement—highlighting where progress has been made, which sectors are driving change, and what’s at stake ahead of the 2026 scheduled review.

Americas Economy & Business

New Atlanticist

Jun 17, 2025

What should Trump do next on trade? Optimize existing US trade agreements in Central and South America.

By Enrique Millán-Mejía

The best way to foster sustainable growth for US exports to the region is to seek predictable rules of engagement with Western Hemisphere trading partners.

Americas Economy & Business
Stock market, by Big C Studio

Infographic

Jun 11, 2025

Americas economies in depth: LAC’s economic outlook in mid-2025

By the Adrienne Arsht Latin America Center

This infographic asks the question: Where do Latin American and Caribbean economies stand halfway through 2025? As global trade tensions rise and economic uncertainty deepens, the region faces a shifting landscape—but also new opportunities.

Americas Economy & Business

New Atlanticist

May 15, 2025

Four questions (and expert answers) about the China-Latin America summit

By Atlantic Council experts

At the summit, China offered billions of dollars’ worth of credit and Colombia entered into the Belt and Road Initiative.

Caribbean China

New Atlanticist

May 9, 2025

The new pope is American. He is also Peruvian. Why does it matter?

By Martin Cassinelli

Pope Leo XIV’s unique combination of identities could help him reframe US–Latin American relations in more humane and values-driven terms.

Human Rights Latin America