It also risks bearing the full weight of Donald Trump’s protectionist policies. The construction of a bridge and access roads over a 10 kilometer (6 mile) corridor leading to the Peruvian border may seem like a modest project for such a load.

As leaders from across the world gather for two major summits in South America in the coming days, the uncertainty brought by Donald Trump’s impending return to the White House is expected to loom large.

President Joe Biden will meet his Chinese counterpart, Xi Jinping, in Peru on Saturday for the last of three in-person sit-downs between the leaders during the US president’s term in office, according to senior administration officials.