A High-Profile Meeting at Mar-a-Lago Sparks Optimism in Honduras

Upon returning from his Florida meeting with former President Donald Trump at Mar-a-Lago late last week, Honduran President Nasry “Tito” Asfura shared that he expects the United States will help his nation strengthen economic ties, particularly through private investment in Honduras. As the world watched the meeting between Trump and Asfura, policymakers, Honduran business leaders, and members of the Honduran diaspora shared optimism about the bilateral meeting’s results and implications.

Sources familiar with the meeting confirmed that Asfura and Trump met for close to an hour, double the scheduled time. Both leaders reportedly spent significant time discussing ways to improve bilateral relations between Honduras and the United States. Sources close to President Asfura expressed that the atmosphere during the meeting was productive, with both leaders developing political and personal chemistry.

Top topics of conversation reportedly included trade, foreign direct investment (FDI), and migration

Sources from Honduras’s official delegation said that trade, foreign direct investment (FDI), and migration were central topics of conversation between Asfura and Trump. Honduras depends heavily on the U.S. for imports and exports and on remittances from Hondurans living in the United States.

Trade deals were top of mind for both leaders. Officials in Asfura’s delegation said they discussed reducing tariffs and increasing export opportunities for Honduran-made products into the U.S. Honduras currently exports significant amounts of agricultural, textiles, and manufactured goods to the United States. Honduran exports benefit from preferential tariff treatment with the United States. Experts believe that tariff reductions and the furtherance of trade could bolster Honduras’s export economy.

Private investment in Honduras was another likely focus of the meeting between Asfura and Trump. Asfura reportedly told Trump that Honduras offers a competitive nearshoring opportunity for the United States due to its geographic proximity, low labor costs, and membership in free trade agreements. He went on to highlight Honduras’s industrial parks and maquiladora sector and growing interest from firms looking to invest in renewables, logistics, and manufacturing. Strengthening political ties between Honduras and the United States could create the confidence U.S. investors need to increase private investment in Honduras.

Migration was another expected topic of conversation. Sources familiar with the meeting say both leaders agreed that growing the Honduran economy and providing more jobs will help decrease irregular migration. Both leaders have expressed interest in expanding collaboration on workforce development, joint investment in migrant sending communities, and pathways for legal labor migration.

Reaction among Hondurans and Honduran Americans has been mixed

Images and video footage of the private meeting circulated quickly through Honduras and social media among Honduran diaspora populations across the United States and Latin America. Local news outlets published stories focusing on the symbolic importance of the meeting.

Outside Mar-a-Lago, Hondurans waving Honduran flags gathered to celebrate the successful meeting. On social media, people reposted news coverage of the meeting and shared their hopes for new private investment in Honduras.

Before boarding the plane to Florida, President Asfura posted a message of confidence to his social media accounts: “Today is a good day for Honduras. In God’s name and with Him, everything is going to turn out well today. Honduras, we are going to be fine!” The tweet was shared widely across Honduras.

U.S. Honduras relationship critical for economic growth

The Honduran economy depends on strong ties with the United States. The U.S. is Honduras’s largest trading partner, a major source of FDI, and is home to millions of Honduran emigrants who send home billions of dollars to their families in Honduras each year. In fact, remittances make up one of the highest percentages of GDP when compared to other Latin American countries.

Because of this close relationship, any development on trade or migration will have real impacts on the Honduran economy and the pockets of Hondurans. Business leaders watched the meeting closely, hopeful for signals that economic policy may open doors for greater private investment in Honduras.

Analysts also noted that Asfura is setting himself up for geopolitical success by pivoting Honduras closer to the United States. As global companies look to diversify their supply chains and nearshore production, Latin American and Caribbean countries are competing for those investments. By strengthening ties with the U.S., Honduras can position itself as a leader in regional manufacturing and increase its chances of securing multinational investment.

Foreign investment could signal opportunities for growth and stability in Honduras

Growing U.S. interest in Honduras has business leaders and politicians hopeful that they can quicken the pace of reforms needed to open Honduras for private investment. These reforms include reducing red tape for investors, improving physical and digital infrastructure, and cracking down on corruption.

For investors, partnerships with the United States send a signal that the country has stable economic policies and a rule of law that make Honduras a safe place to do business. If U.S. leaders advocate for private investment in Honduras, investors may begin to look more closely at sectors like manufacturing, agriculture, renewable energy, tourism, and logistics for business opportunities.

Honduras’s strategic location in Central America also provides an advantageous platform for regional distribution hubs and export-led manufacturing. Global companies are looking to nearshore production to diversify their supply chains. Honduras could benefit from new investment if it positions itself as a leader in these sectors.

Migration can only be curbed through economic development and opportunity

Honduras continues to face the consequences of high migration rates to the United States. Many Hondurans leave their homes in search of economic opportunity and better wages. Asfura has made economic development through job creation a top priority for his administration.

Addressing the root causes of migration through foreign direct investment and expanding exports can help create jobs at home in Honduras. The U.S. and Honduras could expand cooperation on creating economic opportunities in Honduras through vocational training programs, infrastructure development, supporting small businesses, and more.

Remittances are the lifeline for thousands of Honduran families. However, migration is not a long-term solution to Honduras’s economic challenges. Families want to stay in Honduras and not feel forced to leave to support their children. The talks between Trump and Asfura at Mar-a-Lago may be the first step to combining smart enforcement with economic development and pathways for legal migration.

FDI flows have recovered, and Peruvian companies have more international projection than ever before, factors that are conditioning the destinations of investment capital in the country. In this context, investments in Peru are increasingly being guided by sector-specific opportunities rather than by macroeconomic performance alone.

In Peru, investment destinations are beginning to be defined more clearly. With a year-on-year increase of 56.7% in FDI flows during 2024, which reached nearly US$6.8 billion, Peru registers one of the highest growth rates recorded in Latin America, according to the Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean (ECLAC). However, for investors, macroeconomic stability does not fully explain this figure: in the current context, investments are channeled towards sectors that allow them to see concrete projects underway, demand that has not yet been satisfied, or marked opportunities to enter new markets with a horizon that goes beyond 2026.

“In terms of sectors, capital is flowing especially towards infrastructure projects associated with continuous operations and linked businesses,” says Luis Fuentes, director of Grupo Fuentes and Alligare Internacional, a holding company focused on international consulting and investment promotion. Private investors see attractive sectors based on ecosystems where growth is not predicated on a single isolated project but a series of activities that provide continuity, scalability, and assurance of long-term profitability.

Sector Spotlight: Infrastructure

Infrastructure and logistics are currently at the core of investments in Peru, particularly those tied to long-term operational ecosystems. “Peru is positioning itself as a logistics hub for the Pacific”, affirms Fuentes. In recent years, the creation of the Port of Chancay and expansion projects for the port of Callao have created opportunities not only for global logistics operators but also for industrial warehouses, technical and mechanical service companies, or those focused on operational support.

Infrastructure, therefore, heads the list of sought-after sectors. Transport infrastructure, real estate developments for urban projects, road concessions, and other public-private partnerships not only allow direct entry of capital but also connect to a series of services such as engineering, project supervision, maintenance contracts, and operations. That opens space for investors not only at the large institutional level but also for mid-market companies with technical value propositions.

The second pillar related to infrastructure projects is logistics. Chancay port is designed to connect commerce with Asia and foster production agreements with countries such as China, while Callao’s expansion plans are reaffirming Peru’s role in Pacific trade routes. Both projects are creating demand for industrial storage space, specialized transportation services (such as fleet maintenance and cold chains), and technical logistics services.

Energy and Agroindustry: Continuity of Demand

Energy is a third area of interest. If generation, transmission, and energy services continue to attract interest from investors focused on large projects linked to mining or connected to industries in growth, other renewable projects, grid modernization, and energy efficiency begin to gain prominence as mandatory sustainability requirements begin to filter into decision-making.

The food industry, in turn, rounds up the list. The fact that Peru is a net exporter of agricultural goods and that crops grown locally are inserted into value-added production chains makes it an attractive destination for capital. However, opportunities go beyond mere food production: irrigation infrastructure, cold chain logistics, certification services, consulting, or application of technology to food packaging and processing are sectors within the value chain that also benefit from foreign capital. Added to this is Peru’s wide range of climates and counter-seasonality with respect to the northern hemisphere, as well as access to other markets through free trade agreements.

Technology: Common Thread Through Multiple Opportunities

Finally, technology can be considered a cross-cutting sector. There are opportunities in industries such as mining, food production, or logistics tied to technologies that increase efficiency, allow traceability, introduce automation, and improve processes. Platforms, industrial software, and other tools to manage data and boost productivity are key solutions that international companies require and that national companies can provide not only domestically but also for export.

“There is an investor that is increasingly participating in these sectors: regional investors,” comments Fuentes. Investors from Chile, Bolivia, Ecuador and Asia, particularly China and South Korea, stand out. “Peru wins in terms of its investment attractiveness due to macroeconomic stability, its trade openness and its network of free trade agreements,” he adds. The country is therefore not just a destination market but a platform to operate in the region and send exports.

In fact, this type of scenario is encouraging some Peruvian companies to consider expanding abroad as well. Companies are slowly making their way into Chilean, Bolivian, and Asian markets and entering through commercial offices in places such as Hong Kong has become one of the initial strategies for firms wanting to internationalize (particularly in processed foods or other value added products), decreasing risk while getting closer to final markets without needing major capital injections.

Inbound and Outbound Investment: Toward 2026

The outlook is positive as we enter 2026. The challenge now is to consolidate these sectors as pillars for sustained growth so that investments in Peru become more diversified and resilient over time. Clear rules, legal stability, and an agenda that incentivizes capital entry and facilitates Peruvian companies to go abroad will be key to achieving this objective.

The Chinese government has ordered state-owned enterprises and private companies to suspend new Chinese investments in Panama until “conditions allow.” Commercial relations between Panama and China will never be the same after this announcement, which was released in response to a Panama court ruling last week that adversely impacted one of China’s primary port operators in the country. This is the most notable strain in relations between China and Panama since diplomatic ties were established and formalized in 2017.

Analysts around the world were quick to react to the news, which was announced late last week. Panama is considered one of the most important hubs for international trade due to its geographic location and the extensive financial and logistics services that operate within its borders. Chinese investment in Panama has totaled multiple billions of dollars in the country over the last decade, furthering diplomatic relations and becoming a major player in many of Panama’s development projects.

The dispute originated after Panama’s Supreme Court of Justice handed down a ruling last week that impacted several concessions held by one of China’s largest port operating conglomerates in the province of Colon, Panama. According to officials in China, the ruling “violates legal certainty” and sets a precedent that could discourage future Chinese investments in Panama, if the “business environment becomes too unpredictable.” Chinese foreign policy officials have publicly stated their disappointment in the decision, citing that recent court rulings put investments at risk because of the ambiguity surrounding Panama’s legal system.

China initially entered the Panamanian market to expand opportunities south of the United States. The country gained access to one of the most important shipping lanes in the world through the Panama Canal. Additionally, Panama’s robust logistics network and telecommunication services made it an easy target for Chinese investment, with projects ranging from port operation to energy and tech development quickly after diplomatic recognition in 2017. China became Panama’s second-biggest trading partner within just a few years.

Projects Suspended

The executive order suspends Chinese investments in Panama, not only in bids on infrastructure projects, but also in strategic agreements being discussed in areas such as:

• Logistics: Expansion of port capacity. China has been directly involved in Panama’s port modernization plans for several years, with a focus on increasing capacity to handle projected traffic through the Panama Canal and larger transshipment projects.
• Energy: Electricity generation and transmission projects where Chinese investors were expected to play a role.
• Technology: Development of smart cities, including data centers and telecoms initiatives.

The suspension of Chinese investments in Panama is particularly detrimental to these areas, as they require long-term planning and often take years to secure financing. This creates a conundrum for Panama as it now questions how rapidly it can replace lost Chinese capital, if at all.

Immediate Damage to Panama’s Economy

While the Chinese investment freeze in Panama is set to last an indefinite amount of time, it’s important to note that Panama’s economy could be damaged in the short term.

• Foreign Direct Investment (FDI): China has been one of the largest consumers of services at the Panama Canal in recent years. China is also deeply integrated into Panama’s efforts to expand its free trade zones and port infrastructure. Any slowdown in FDI can cause foreign investors to reconsider Panama’s business landscape.
• Judicial Reputation: There is an irony to the dispute. On one hand, Panama’s judiciary is considered one of the most reliable in Latin America and upholds its decisions with autonomy. Foreign investors want that kind of stability. But, as China has publicized, there is a fine line between stability and unpredictability that can turn investors away from property rights and contract law.
• Employment: Large-scale infrastructure development will come to a halt until the investment suspension in Panama is lifted. This means construction jobs, engineering consultancies, and other service providers who cater to large project developers could see slowdowns.

China Wants What Comes Next to be Clear-Cut

With globalization at an all-time high, the suspension of Chinese investments in Panama is yet another example of how China wields its economic strength as “soft power.” This power allows China to influence business decisions to be more favorable to Chinese companies operating in foreign countries. It’s unlikely that China will completely pull out of Panama, but it wants to send a message that its investors need to be taken more seriously.

The ball is now in Panama’s court. Will it stand up for the independence of its judicial system, or cave to pressure from one of its largest trading partners? This situation is far from unique. China has had similar issues with Latin American countries trying to exercise their judicial power over Chinese companies operating in their territories.

Only time will tell how this trade dispute unfolds. In the meantime, diplomatic talks are already taking place at the cabinet level to negotiate some form of common ground. World markets are waiting with bated breath. After all, what happens in Panama could set the precedent for how world powers interact with local laws enforced by Latin American countries.

The Dominican Republic keeps pace as a prime investment destination

After nearly doubling foreign direct investment inflows during the past half-decade, foreign investment in the Dominican Republic reached record highs last year. In addition to setting a new annual record for the fourth year in a row, Dominican foreign direct investment (FDI) stocks reached US$5,032.3 billion in 2025, Central Bank data shows. That’s nearly 97% higher than in 2020.

This growth indicates that foreign investment in the Dominican Republic is on solid footing and is not just part of a cyclical recovery or driven by volatile capital flows. Thanks to macroeconomic stability, attractive policies, and a commitment to long-term planning, the Dominican Republic continues to distinguish itself as one of the most dynamic and reliable FDI destinations in Latin America and the Caribbean.

“This year’s historic figures are not merely numbers. They are confidence signals, bets on the future, proof of long-term vision, and the result of a strategic positioning that projects stability, competitiveness, and openness to the world,” said Biviana Riveiro Disla, Executive Director of Dominican Republic Export and Investment Center (ProDominicana).

As demonstrated by strong results over the past five years, continuity in policies and institutions is vital to attracting foreign investment to the Dominican Republic. Sound fiscal and monetary policies have been supported by regulatory reforms to improve the rule of law for investors and strengthen public-private coordination. Together, these policies have helped cement the country’s reputation as a place where investors can count on stable business conditions, clear rules and processes, and access to regional and international markets.

The Dominican Republic: a diversified destination for foreign investment

Tourism continues to be the main beneficiary of foreign direct investment in the Dominican Republic, accounting for 26.3% of the total. The sector has proven particularly attractive to foreign investors thanks to its robust infrastructure, brand awareness, and ability to win high-value and sustainable tourism projects.

Foreign investment in energy projects placed second with 23.8%, buoyed by power generation and renewable energy investment. Commercial real estate investment amounted to 15.7% of the total, supported by continued demand for residential and mixed-use projects. Commerce attracted 10.5% of foreign capital, while free trade zones captured 8.7%. Mining represented 6.7% of foreign investment directed to the Dominican Republic; financial services made up 3.4%, and the remaining sectors comprised the final 4.9%.

FDI is a driver of the Dominican economy

Investment plays a multiplier effect across Dominican industries. “It integrates the country into global value chains, contributing to export growth, job creation, economic resilience, and the transfer of technology and knowledge,” said Riveiro. Productivity, job skills, and competitiveness are strengthened across sectors as investment is filtered through the economy.

Employment created by FDI is often high-quality and supports auxiliary local businesses. Additionally, foreign companies often bring international know-how related to management practices, innovation, and sustainable production. For these reasons and more, investment is key to fostering shared prosperity in cities and provinces across the Dominican Republic.

Dominican Republic Opens Doors for Investors with ProDominicana

ProDominicana has been at the forefront of the Dominican Republic’s efforts to attract and retain foreign investors. By focusing on targeted sectors, prospecting in key markets, and offering personalized services to investors, the agency has laid the groundwork for investment in the Dominican Republic to reach record levels.

Over the last few years, ProDominicana has conducted more than 350 promotion events spanning more than 60 countries. The agency has worked to raise awareness of the Dominican Republic as an investment destination across continents.

Not only has ProDominicana strengthened the country’s brand abroad, but it has also partnered with public and private organizations to improve processes at home. By collaborating with government agencies to strengthen the Single Investment Window, ProDominicana has simplified more than 41 procedures undertaken by investors across 26 institutions.

Efforts to attract and retain investors are ongoing

ProDominicana has undertaken several initiatives with the goal of continuing the Dominican Republic’s streak of FDI records. The Investment Guide, which is available in 10 languages, serves to make information on investing in the Dominican Republic accessible to interested parties around the world.

More recently, ProDominicana has led the creation of Guidelines for the Foreign Direct Investment Attraction and Expansion Plan 2025–2036. Outlining the next decade’s strategy for foreign investment in the Dominican Republic, the plan sets a roadmap for not only attracting new investors to the country, but also retaining and expanding existing investors.

With a focus on encouraging reinvestment and greater linkages to the local economy, foreign investors can expect the Dominican Republic to improve upon its efforts to be a convenient and rewarding place to do business.

Exports reach US$15,930.6 billion; up 14.4%

Aligned with record-setting foreign investment levels, Dominican exports continued their historic expansion in 2025. Total exports were valued at US$15,930.6 billion, an annual increase of 14.4%. Gold, cocoa beans, unmanufactured tobacco, medical instruments and devices, plastic products, Portland cement, bananas, electric circuit breakers, and coffee all experienced expanded export totals in 2025.

Foreign investment sets the stage for continued growth

“The Dominican Republic continues its journey towards consolidating itself as a safe destination to invest, produce, and export, with clear long-term visions,” Riveiro concluded. Looking ahead, foreign investment in the Dominican Republic will continue to support economic growth and Dominican exporters.

In what has been highlighted by the government as “one of the great milestones” of Ecuador’s trade diversification policy, negotiations have been technically concluded for a Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA) with the United Arab Emirates. The agreement, widely regarded as the most complete tool to promote Ecuadorian exports, attracts investment and opens doors in economies with high purchasing power. The trade agreement between Ecuador and the United Arab Emirates will give the South American nation preferential access to one of the Middle East’s fastest-growing and strategically located economies.

Announcement of Trade Agreement Closure Reached Between Ecuador and the United Arab Emirates

The South American nation’s efforts to promote greater openness and diversification through trade policy scored a coup with the recent announcement of the technical closing of negotiations for a trade agreement between Ecuador and the United Arab Emirates. Signed by President Daniel Noboa, the communication officially detailed the successful conclusion of discussions aimed at strengthening Ecuador’s external agenda, diversifying its exports, and opening new markets to Ecuadorian producers across all sectors of the economy.

Trade Agreement Signed Between Ecuador and the United Arab Emirates at WGS 2026

The trade agreement between Ecuador and the United Arab Emirates was announced at WGS 2026 (World Governments Summit), the Dubai forum that brings together leaders, policymakers, experts, and representatives of the private sector from around the world. The agreement was jointly announced by Ecuador’s Minister of Production, Foreign Trade and Investments, Luis Alberto Jaramillo, and his United Arab Emirates counterpart, Thani bin Ahmed Al Zeyoudi, during the event.

Framework and strategic scope of the trade agreement between Ecuador and the United Arab Emirates

Geostrategically located and endowed with high purchasing power, the Middle East also represents one of the fastest-growing regions in the world and a point of convergence for global logistics and trade routes. The Emirates, therefore, occupy a gateway position to markets in the GCC region, Asia, and Africa, with exceptional connectivity and access conditions for Ecuadorian products that seek to insert themselves into these and other markets internationally.

Negotiations between Ecuador and the United Arab Emirates were completed ahead of schedule

The negotiation of this new Ecuador trade agreement concluded successfully in less than a year, with both countries achieving technical closure of negotiations after several months of intense work by teams on 19 different negotiation disciplines, as follows: market access for goods; rules of origin; trade in services; investment; protection of intellectual property; government procurement; sanitary and phytosanitary measures; technical barriers to trade; and economic cooperation.

Ratification process

With the technical closing, both countries will initiate their respective internal procedures for signing and ratification according to their constitutional requirements. Once complied with, the agreement enters into force and becomes binding, beginning to generate benefits for exporters and investors, as well as consumers in both countries.

Reduction and exemptions from tariffs for Ecuador’s exports to the United Arab Emirates

With this CEPA, 75% of Ecuador’s exportable goods to the United Arab Emirates will benefit from zero percent tariffs when entering the UAE market. Added value: 98% of Ecuador’s exports under negotiation will be covered by tariff preferences from day one of the entry into force of the agreement.

Impact on Ecuadorian exports

CEPA will cover more than 4,000 Ecuadorian products, both agricultural and industrial. Fresh roses, cocoa beans, prepared tuna, copper ore and concentrates, metal waste and scrap, sawn tropical wood (including balsa, virola, and imbuía), and wood panels are just some of the Ecuadorian exports that will benefit from zero tariffs upon entry into force of the Agreement.

Facilitation for industry and growth sectors in Ecuador

The gradual tariff dismantling agreed upon by Ecuador and the United Arab Emirates will be up to ten years for certain products. This will allow productive sectors such as livestock, aquaculture, agri-food industry, manufactures, textiles, footwear, and other finished goods such as furniture, auto parts, machinery, and equipment to grow and strengthen in Ecuador before facing greater external competition. This long-term approach seeks to maximize the benefits for sectors that produce under the agreement.

Non-oil exports as leaders in Ecuador’s exports with zero tariff

Products such as shrimp, fresh roses, bananas, and frozen vegetables, among others, are part of Ecuador’s main non-oil exports. The immediate duty-free access they will have to the United Arab Emirates market as of the entry into force of the CEPA is expected to boost exports of these goods and diversify the destinations and products that Ecuador sells to the rest of the world.

Trade Promotion Ecuador – United Arab Emirates Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement

The Agreement Between Ecuador and the United Arab Emirates for the Promotion of Trade (CEPA, for its acronym in English) is projected to boost bilateral trade in goods substantially over the coming years. During the 2020-2024 period, Ecuador exported USD 1.368 billion to its eastern partner. If, under the Agreement, Ecuador reaches sales of up to USD 1 billion a year to the UAE market by 2030, that would represent an expansion of exports to that country by more than 60%, with more diversified exports.

Bilateral Investment Treaty Ecuador United Arab Emirates (“BIT”)

This advance complements the work being done on the Bilateral Investment Treaty between Ecuador and the United Arab Emirates, signed in December 2025 and currently subject to constitutional review. BIT protects investors and legal certainty, improving the rules of the game for foreign direct investment (FDI). While the CEPA facilitates exports and diversification, the BIT offers investment incentives that may stimulate interest from Emirati investors in sectors such as infrastructure, renewable energy, logistics, agribusiness, manufacturing, and others.