Guatemala’s Foreign Minister Carlos Ramiro Martinez told Reuters on Monday that the country is considering establishing formal trade relations with China while maintaining existing relations with Taiwan.
Martinez affirmed that Guatemala will maintain its existing level of cooperation with Taiwan. However, he acknowledged President Bernardo Arevalo’s stance on recognizing China’s influence and power. Arevalo, who assumed office in mid-January amid a challenging transition, has prioritized combating corruption and fostering relations with China.
Martinez said that Guatemala is interested in approaching China to establish an "office of trade interests" to facilitate access to the Chinese market for Guatemalan products. He added that Guatemala was doing this openly and that it was not an ambush against Taiwan or the United States.
In recent years, many Central American countries have shifted their alliance from Taiwan to China, leaving Guatemala as one of Taiwan's 12 remaining diplomatic allies. Meanwhile, Taiwan has made it clear that it does not want to engage in what’s known as “checkbook diplomacy” to compete with China.
