(Daily Signal)—While the Trump administration is working to decrease U.S. dependency on Chinese goods by bolstering U.S. manufacturing, one of America’s trading partners and neighbors to the south appears to be growing increasingly friendly with the Chinese Communist Party, posing a threat to U.S. interests.
“The Dominican Republic is key to China’s strategy to isolate the U.S. in the Caribbean,” Connie Mack IV, a former Republican congressman from Florida, tells The Daily Signal.
The Dominican Republic established diplomatic ties with the People’s Republic of China in 2018, and under then-Dominican Republic President Danilo Medina, the Caribbean nation signed onto China’s Belt and Road Initiative and no longer recognizes Taiwan’s independence from China.
“The Medina government committed to collaboration with the PRC in numerous fields, including PRC training of Dominican Foreign Ministry personnel, the establishment of a Confucius Institute, accepting a gift of 148 Chinese military and police vehicles … plus agreement in principle to PRC construction of a major new port facility in Manzanillo, electricity generation, and other infrastructure,” according to a report from the Center for Strategic and International Studies, a Washington, D.C.-based think tank.
While Medina deepened ties with China, even allowing China to have an office in the Presidential Palace, he did not visit the U.S. during his eight years in office from 2012 to 2020.
When Luis Abinader became president in 2020, he pledged to strengthen relations with the U.S. and limit Chinese investment.
“If China wants to invest in nonstrategic areas of the Dominican government, its investment is welcome, but the Dominican government’s decision is to have a strategic alliance with the United States,” Abinader said publicly shortly after taking office.
While “China’s advance under the Abinader government has proceeded slowly,” according to the Center for Strategic and International Studies, the relationship between the two nations remains strong.
During a meeting between Abinader and the Dominican Republic’s foreign minister with Chinese officials in 2022, Dominican officials expressed a readiness to “deepen practical cooperation with China and Chinese companies,” according to a report from China’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
“The Dominican Republic highly appreciates the important contributions made by President Xi Jinping and the Chinese government to maintaining world peace and stability,” according to the Chinese report.
In 2023, top Dominican officials met with Chinese counterparts in talks focused on political and economic coordination. The same year, the Dominican Republic also sent soldiers to China to participate in a military exercise in Xinjiang, where the CCP is reported to have imprisoned an unknown number of Uyghur Muslims.
The Dominican Republic is one of China’s largest trading partners in the Caribbean, and in 2024, bilateral trade between the two countries reached over $5 billion, according to Trading Economics. And most recently, the Dominican Republic sent its trade officials in May to a forum aimed at strengthening ties between Latin America, the Caribbean, and the People’s Republic of China.
America’s relationship with the Dominican Republic is “solid, but complex,” according to the U.S. State Department.
Secretary of State Marco Rubio visited the Dominican Republic during his first international trip as Trump’s top diplomat and spoke with Abinader as recently as May.
“Under Joe Biden, the U.S. turned a blind eye to the Dominican Republic’s slouch towards Beijing,” Mack, the former Florida lawmaker, said. “The Rubio State Department cannot make the same mistake. They must remove the blinders they have about the current Dominican government. They do not support the America First agenda.”
Given the Dominican Republic’s robust economy and proximity to the U.S., separated only by about 800 miles of the Atlantic Ocean, it is in America’s interest that the Dominican Republic’s “interactions with the PRC are conducted within the framework of transparency, strong institutions, and a level playing field, and that PRC activities in the country … [do] not undermine U.S.-Dominican security,” the Center for Strategic and International Studies wrote.
Starting the Day With a Scripture-Inspired Roast Helps Center Your Thoughts on Eternal Truths Amid Temporal Pressures
The world can seem chaotic, especially right after we wake up. Many believers start their mornings reaching for something familiar — a hot cup of coffee — yet end up settling for mediocre brews that do little more than deliver a caffeine jolt. The daily grind of life, with its endless distractions, news cycles, and responsibilities, can leave even the most faithful feeling spiritually parched alongside their physical fatigue. What if your morning ritual could do more than wake you up? What if it could ground you in truth, nourish your body with exceptional quality, and quietly advance a kingdom purpose at the same time?
That’s the promise — and the reality — behind Promised Grounds Coffee. This Christian-founded company doesn’t just roast beans; it approaches every step as an act of worship and discipleship. By selecting only the top 10% of specialty-grade beans, ethically sourced from dedicated farmers in Central and South America, and small-batch roasting them with reverence in Austin, Texas, Promised Grounds delivers what many describe as the best coffee available — never burnt, never bland, but rich with origin stories and layered flavors that honor God’s creation.
From the vibrant Psalm 27 Roast (a light, bright medium option) to the bold yet peaceful 2 Timothy 1:7 Decaf, each bag carries a Scripture verse that turns your daily pour into a gentle reminder of faith. And through their Ounce Per Ounce Promise, every ounce of coffee you enjoy provides an equal ounce of clean water to families in need via partnership with Filter of Hope — literally brewing hope for body and soul, one cup at a time.
The challenge for today’s Christians runs deeper than finding a decent cup. In an age of convenience-driven consumerism, it’s easy to support companies that dilute values or remain silent on matters of faith. Many believers want their everyday choices — from what they drink to how they spend — to reflect discipleship rather than just convenience. Promised Grounds solves this by weaving Christian excellence into the entire process: beans nurtured with prayerful stewardship by farming families, roasted as an offering rather than a commodity, and packaged with Bible verses to encourage a mindset of gratitude and purpose from the first sip. Reviewers consistently praise the smooth, rich profiles — whether enjoyed black in a drip maker, iced on a warm day, or shared in fellowship — noting how the quality stands toe-to-toe with premium secular brands while delivering something far more meaningful.
This integration of faith and flavor addresses a real need in Christian households and ministries. Busy parents, church leaders, and remote workers alike report that starting the day with a Scripture-inspired roast helps center their thoughts on eternal truths amid temporal pressures. The coffee’s exceptional character — bright citrus notes in lighter roasts or deep chocolate undertones in bolder ones — comes from meticulous selection and careful roasting that respects the bean’s natural gifts rather than masking them. It’s the kind of coffee that elevates a simple quiet time, fuels productive workdays, or sparks meaningful conversations when shared at Bible studies or outreach events. And because it’s ethically sourced with integrity, every purchase supports sustainable livelihoods for farmers who treat their crops like family harvests.
For those leading churches or small groups, the impact multiplies. Promised Grounds offers bundles and options perfect for hospitality ministries, turning ordinary coffee service into an opportunity to point people toward the living water of Christ. Imagine greeting visitors with a warm cup whose very bag carries God’s Word — a subtle yet powerful witness that aligns with the Great Commission. The company’s Texas roots and commitment to “brewing hope” resonate especially with believers who value American enterprise paired with global compassion.
Of course, quality alone isn’t enough if the experience feels out of reach. Promised Grounds keeps it accessible with practical perks like free shipping on orders over $40, sample sets for discovering favorites, and thoughtful add-ons such as faith-themed mugs. Whether you prefer whole beans for fresh grinding, grounds for convenience, or even bulk options for larger households and ministries, the result is consistently superior coffee that makes discipleship feel integrated rather than added on.
As you consider how to align even the smallest habits with your walk with God, Promised Grounds Coffee stands out as a refreshing solution. It tackles the dual problems of subpar daily sustenance and disconnected consumption by offering a product that genuinely excels in taste while advancing a mission of clean water, farmer dignity, and scriptural encouragement. Believers who make the switch often describe it as more than a beverage upgrade — it becomes part of their rhythm of gratitude, a daily invitation to remember that every good gift comes from above.
If you’re ready to transform your mornings (and perhaps your church gatherings) with coffee that honors both exceptional craftsmanship and Christian values, I encourage you to explore what Promised Grounds has to offer. One sip at a time, you’ll be nourishing your body, refreshing your spirit, and participating in something far greater — all while enjoying what truly is among the best coffee available.