China is investing billions in Latin America, potentially sidelining US farmers for decades to come

China’s pullback squeezes U.S. port volumes
A ship docked at the Port of Santos, which services nearly a quarter of Brazil’s soybean exports. photo provided, Santos Port Authority.

A ship docked at the Port of Santos, which services nearly a quarter of Brazil’s soybean exports. photo provided, Santos Port Authority.

A ship docked at the Port of Santos in Brazil. photo provided, Santos Port Authority.

A ship docked at the Port of Santos in Brazil. photo provided, Santos Port Authority.

Chinese state-backed money is remaking the hemisphere’s ports —from Santos to Chancay — reshaping grain routes to Asia and squeezing U.S. farmers as tariffs deepen the split with Washington.

From the docks of the Port of Santos, a 58-terminal complex covering an area the size of 1,500 American football fields, ships loaded with soybeans prepare to set sail for China.

Less than 45 miles from São Paul…