President Joe Biden hosted Costa Rican leader Rodrigo Chaves at the White House on Tuesday to discuss current and long-term challenges between the two countries. The meeting discussed, among other things, the consequences that illegal immigration has brought to the small Central American state, as well as the challenges presented by China’s global ambitions, based on the use of semiconductor technology.
President Joe Biden emphasized during the meeting at the White House that the United States and Costa Rica have strengthened relations between them.
“More than a year ago, together with partners in the region, we signed the Los Angeles Declaration on Migration and Protection in California. Since that time, you have done an extraordinary job, you have been an excellent partner,” President Biden told his Costa Rican counterpart, Rodrigo Chaves.
The president of Costa Rica echoed the warm words of the American leader.
“Costa Rica has been and will remain one of the strongest allies in the world in terms of your economic and security interests, which are also our interests,” said President Rodrigo Chaves.
The White House says the two countries share similar ideological views.
“Costa Rica plays a leading regional role. It is a strong democracy with a prosperous economy and is exemplary in managing migration,” said White House spokeswoman Karine Jean-Pierre.
The leaders discussed issues such as the challenge of dealing with the large number of immigrants passing through Costa Rica on their way to the United States. Months ago, Mr Chaves said his country needed help.
“We need to ask countries like the United States to help us achieve what we want. To be good international citizens, good citizens of the world, a country that continues to be generous, but the costs are becoming great. Let there be clearer signals in the United States.”
Analysts say the small coastal country, famous for its beaches and biodiversity, also has a role to play in China’s economic ambitions.
A program funded by the 2022 CHIPS and Science Act, which President Biden’s administration says is essential to countering China, has now targeted Costa Rica to produce tiny electronic devices but which are of great importance in sending ships into space, semiconductors.
“Semiconductor manufacturing companies are already present in Costa Rica. Intel currently has a branch there. The foundations have been laid to build even further. The main test is in the ingredients, the training programs, whether Costa Rica can build the right human capital to attract investment,” Ryan Berg, with the Center for Strategic and International Studies, told VOA.