Global Think Intel

China's Expanding Influence in the Caribbean: A Strategic Play in Jamaica and Beyond.

​By: S Blackwell

April 2025

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For decades, the Caribbean has been a strong ally of the United States, with countries like Jamaica historically maintaining close economic and diplomatic ties with Washington. However, over the past 25 years, U.S. foreign policy has shifted its focus toward Asia and the Middle East, leaving a strategic vacuum in the region. This neglect has created an opportunity for China, which has actively expanded its presence in the Caribbean through investment, infrastructure development, and diplomatic engagement.  

 

China has aggressively pursued economic influence in Jamaica and the broader Caribbean by investing in critical infrastructure. From the construction of highways and bridges to the acquisition of shipping ports, Beijing has embedded itself deeply into the region’s economic landscape. In Jamaica, for example, Chinese firms have undertaken major development projects, such as the North-South Highway and various real estate ventures. Furthermore, China has shown interest in acquiring seafront properties in places like St. Elizabeth, potentially to build new shipping ports that could serve its broader geopolitical strategy.  

 

While these investments appear beneficial, they also give China significant leverage over the region. Many of these projects are financed through loans, increasing the debt burden of Caribbean nations. This "debt diplomacy" allows China to exert control over key assets if countries struggle to meet repayment obligations. In several parts of the world, including Sri Lanka and parts of Africa, China has gained control of critical infrastructure after nations defaulted on their debts. A similar situation could unfold in the Caribbean, leaving countries like Jamaica economically dependent on Beijing.  

 

Beyond economic influence, the next logical step for China is to secure its growing assets through military means. As China continues to acquire strategic locations in the Caribbean, it may eventually justify the deployment of military forces to "protect" its interests. This would bring Chinese military presence uncomfortably close to U.S. shores, echoing Cold War-era tensions. Given the Caribbean’s geographic proximity to major U.S. shipping lanes and strategic naval bases, such a development would significantly alter the balance of power in the Western Hemisphere.  

 

The United States must recognize the long-term implications of China’s growing influence in the Caribbean. If Washington continues to ignore the region, it risks allowing China to establish a powerful foothold just miles away from U.S. territory. To counter this, the U.S. should re-engage with Caribbean nations through stronger trade agreements, development aid, and diplomatic initiatives. Failing to act now could lead to a future where the Caribbean becomes a key battleground in a global power struggle between the United States and China.