How Uruguay plans to increase independence, autonomy & multilateralism

Editor's note: Xu Tianqi is deputy director of the Areas Study Department of the Chongyang Institute for Financial Studies at Renmin University of China. The article reflects the author's opinions and not necessarily the views of CGTN.

Uruguayan President Yamandu Orsi is paying a state visit to China, becoming the first President from Latin America to visit after the Chinese government's formal release of its 3rd China's Policy Paper on Latin America and the Caribbean. Uruguay, known by the world as the "Switzerland of South America," is showing its wisdom to increase its independence, autonomy and advance multilateralism in the changing world.

What is the biggest external challenge for Uruguay and Latin America nowadays?

Nowadays, for Uruguay and most of the countries in Latin America, the biggest external challenge is believed to come from within their neighborhood, namely the United States. The Latin American countries lie in the Western Hemisphere, and the US has been recently releasing its so-called new Western Hemisphere strategy. 

The latest National Security Strategy (NSS), the 2026 National Defense Strategy (NDS), and other related documents, all show that the US is about to deploy a new strategy for the Western Hemisphere, called Trump's Monroe Doctrine (or the "Donroe Doctrine").  The new strategy intends to only allow Western Hemisphere countries to cooperate internally instead of with other countries in the world. Many global media outlets and scholars have explained this new strategy well. It is clear that the US wants to control all the resources in the hemisphere for itself. As an example, the recent seizure of Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro by the US was seen as an attempt to control crude oil in Venezuela.

Against this backdrop, which many call threats, the Orsi administration clearly has its own strategic ideas and goals. Looking at the Bases Programáticas 2025-2030 by Frente Amplio, President Orsi and his team plan to engage diplomatically with positivity, applying principles of sovereignty, autonomy and multilateralism. 

Through his visit to China, Orsi aims to send a clear signal to Washington: Uruguay has long upheld an independent, multilateral diplomatic tradition, and Montevideo will not accept Washington's so-called New Western Hemisphere strategy. This undoubtedly constitutes a forceful rebuttal to the American Monroe Doctrine hegemony.

Strengthening practical cooperation with China to advance national interests

In today's challenging world, it seems to be obvious that if a country can steadfastly champion multilateralism, promote global multipolarity, and maintain sound relations with all partners, then it can ensure the maximization of its national interests. And that is what Uruguay has been doing. 

Reports indicate that Orsi's delegation will exceed 80 members, including senior officials from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ministry of Industry, Ministry of Livestock, Agriculture and Fishes, and the central bank, alongside numerous representatives from business associations, etc., which fully reflects Uruguay's pragmatic orientation prioritizing its own national interests.

For Uruguay, economic and trade cooperation with China is indispensable for advancing its development. Since 2013, China has consistently been Uruguay's largest goods trading partner. China serves as the primary market for Uruguayan exports of soybeans, beef, and pulp, while Uruguay is a significant buyer of China's green products, such as EV vehicles. 

Recently, the MERCOSUR (Southern Common Market) has just concluded a historic free trade agreement with the European Union. Building upon this achievement, the Orsi administration can also promote negotiations for a free trade agreement with China during this trip, thereby opening broader market opportunities for economic and trade relations with China. 

By deepening cooperative ties with China, Europe and other nations worldwide, Uruguay is securing tangible economic benefits while avoiding the economic pitfalls of being drawn into zero-sum games or forced to choose sides.

Sound domestic governance underpins Uruguay's strategic autonomy and independence

Unfortunately, many Latin American countries have been facing governance difficulties in the recent years. Within the region, there are countries which have seen six presidents in six years, with leaders rotating like a revolving door, showcasing fierce political infighting paralyzing governments. There are countries enduring chronic high inflation and unemployment, forcing citizens into displacement or even migration abroad. There are countries having polarization between left and right wings, which deepens the social divisions and intensifies conflicts between different groups. 

Such governance difficulties or sometimes even chaos not only severely undermines the credibility of government administration, but also leaves the countries lacking cohesive resilience when confronting external pressures.

Uruguay exemplifies the distinctive political stability in the region. Since the elections in 1984, power transitions have generally proceeded smoothly. The Orsi administration similarly emphasizes the necessity of cooperation and communication among domestic stakeholders. It upholds a balanced approach to social welfare and economic vitality, opposing extreme individualistic notions of liberty, while safeguarding more equitable income distribution, and maintaining the market economy operating principles that have been consistently upheld since 1985.

Stressing that security underpins democracy, it has proposed a "National Public Safety Plan" to establish a comprehensive crime-fighting system. As a Latin American country, Uruguay has avoided the regionally prevalent conflicts between the executive and legislative branches, as also the destructive partisan infighting, thereby providing robust domestic support for its foreign strategy. 

President Orsi's high-profile visit to China reflects his strategic confidence, underpinned by good domestic governance. When unity prevails internally, external pressures struggle to undermine a nation's resolve to make sound choices.

Outlook: To give people a better life and to cooperate internationally toward a better world

Uruguay, widely recognized as a model student in the international community, is showcasing its approach domestically. The country is prioritizing national interests by strengthening governance and improving citizens' livelihoods. Externally, Uruguay is resisting hegemonic intimidation and blind obedience to directives from major powers. The country is also rejecting the temptation of empty promises from great powers to choose sides or engage in reckless confrontation.

Uruguay has been expanding its strategic space through pragmatic cooperation and fortifies its diplomatic foundations with domestic stability. The pragmatic approach of the "Switzerland of South America" serves as a vital model for navigating great power competition, and to keep its own independence and autonomy.

(Cover via VCG)