Paraguay may be the next country to break diplomatic relations with Taiwan. That’s according to a Thursday report from Reuters which cited several United States officials and other sources close to the matter.
The sources in the report say there may be little which can prevent Paraguay's diplomatic switch. This is especially the case if the country's opposition party candidate Efrain Alegr wins the election later this month. During his campaign he has promised to establish diplomatic relations with China to boost soybean and beef exports, which is an important issue for Paraguay's the agricultural lobby.
Santiago Pena, a candidate for the ruling conservative Colorado Party, has vowed that if he wins the election diplomatic relations with Taiwan will remain unaffected.
Former US presidential adviser Benjamin Gedan says Taiwan's loss of another diplomatic ally would be a major blow to the US. He said it would signal Washington’s inability to prevent China's expanding footprint in the U.S.’ backyard.
Paraguay is an inland country the size of California, with a population of 6.7 million. It is one of the world's top 10 beef exporters and the world's fourth largest soybean exporter.