Trump 2024: Latin America’s new season of "Survivor" …With tariffs!

Alright, Latin America, brace yourselves. Donald Trump just won the 2024 U.S. election, and for anyone south of the border, that sound you’re hearing? That’s the political equivalent of an “uh-oh” soundtrack. And if you thought the first term was just a phase, welcome to the sequel. It’s like “Jaws II,” but this time the shark’s got a Twitter account.

Now, Trump’s foreign policy game plan is essentially this: Keep America safe… by making everyone else nervous. And Latin America? Oh, you’re on his radar... right next to the wall he’s still talking about. He's ready to bring back mass deportations, impose enough tariffs to turn trade into a circus act, and give a big, loud cold shoulder to multilateral diplomacy. It’s a classic Trump move, like trying to solve a puzzle by flipping over the coffee table.

Let’s start with trade.

The guy’s gearing up to slap a 10% tariff on all imports, like a cover charge on the whole world’s exports. And just for extra flair, he’s eyeing a 60% tax on Chinese goods. So if you’re a country in Latin America trying to make a decent living off exports to the U.S., this is about as helpful as adding extra weights to a life raft.

Mexico, Brazil, and pretty much all of Central America might be in for a rough ride since their economies have been cashing in on the U.S. trade game for decades. But don’t count on Trump losing sleep over the economic collateral damage because, for him, that’s just a side effect of "winning."

And here’s the kicker:his trade tantrums might just drive Latin America further into China’s warm, trade-friendly embrace. China has quietly become the region’s BFF, with $485 billion in trade last year. As Trump double-locks America’s front door, China will likely be there with open arms, a handshake, and a few friendly trade deals. And that would be one of the weirdest geopolitical plot twists since, well, Trump winning the 2024 election.

Now, let’s move on to immigration.

Trump’s got big plans for deporting as many undocumented immigrants as humanly possible. And let’s just say, if it sounds like something out of a dystopian reality show, that’s because it basically is. There are 11 million undocumented immigrants in the U.S., many from Latin America. This isn’t just about politics; it’s about families, jobs, communities... all of which are bound to feel the impact if Trump follows through.

Deporting these people means sending thousands back to economies that can barely keep up. And that’s not even touching the billions in remittances sent home every year—money that keeps families afloat in countries like Guatemala, El Salvador, and Honduras. Take that away, and you’ve got entire regions reeling from Trump’s version of “help.”

So, what happens when a chunk of the U.S. population gets shipped out overnight?

Think of it like ripping a bandage off without ever having cleaned the wound. It’s going to hurt, it’s going to get messy, and it’s probably going to create more migration pressures, not less. It’s almost as if his policy doesn’t make much sense...almost.

Diplomatically, Trump has one mode: loud, messy, and often incoherent.

He treats alliances like last week’s leftovers, chucking them aside if they don’t suit the agenda. And in Latin America, that’s going to mean a mix of icy silences and wild cheers depending on the country.

Right-wing leaders like Argentina’s new president, Javier Milei, are likely to get high-fives from Trump and maybe even a White House visit to seal the romance. Meanwhile, for leaders like Brazil’s Lula da Silva (who is taking this wild concept called “climate change” seriously) it’s probably going to be a long four years of side-eye.

And then there’s the infamous “troika of tyranny”: you know, Cuba, Nicaragua, and Venezuela. Countries that Trump has already blacklisted as the neighborhood troublemakers. Sanctions will be back on the menu, and who knows, maybe there’s another embargo or two in the works, just to keep things spicy. For these countries, any last thread of hope for warmer U.S. relations? Snip, snip.

Now here’s the part where we have to do some soul-searching, because U.S. isolationism under Trump isn’t just an American problem; it’s everyone’s problem.

And, dear Latin America, that means there might actually be an opportunity in all this. You see, as Trump is busy walling himself off, Latin America (yes, you) has a chance to carve out a stronger role on the global stage. And Brazil, could be in just the right position to step up.

Think about it: Brazil is the region’s biggest economy, and Lula has been betting big on a green agenda, which contrasts quite nicely with Trump’s environmental policies, or, more accurately, lack thereof. So, as Trump deregulates, drills, and drills some more, Brazil can lean into the whole climate diplomacy thing. European countries, wary of dealing with Trump, may find a more willing partner in a Brazil that’s pushing to preserve the Amazon and reduce emissions.

And let’s be honest, this is bigger than just Brazil.

With Trump’s America in “Fortress USA” mode, Latin America might actually find itself in a multipolar world where alliances with the EU and China aren’t just optional: they’re essential.

It’s an opening to diversify trade, build new partnerships, and break out of the one-dimensional relationship with Washington.

So yes, Trump’s 2024 win might mean some chaos, a lot of noise, and endless “America First” rhetoric.

But maybe, just maybe, it’s time for Latin America to say, “Thanks, but we’ll take it from here.”

If there’s one bright side to Trump’s isolationist binge, it’s the rare chance for Latin America to claim a bigger slice of global influence. Brazil could lead the way, showing that there’s life (and opportunity) beyond Uncle Sam’s backyard.