Taiwan is using a business mission to Guatemala to lock in one of its few remaining diplomatic allies, a modest but real win for Taipei as China keeps picking off its partners.

• Foreign Minister Lin Chia-lung met President Bernardo Arévalo and pitched a new three-way Taiwan-US-Guatemala partnership, which Arévalo backed.
• Thirty company representatives came along, covering green energy, smart transport, AI, space tech, biotech, healthcare, tourism and finance.
• Guatemala's foreign minister praised 92 years of ties and singled out Taiwan-funded health programs, including a public cancer hospital.
• Both sides want more trade, plus Taiwan tech added to Guatemala's chip push and electric buses for its public transport.
• Guatemala is being positioned as Taiwan's hub for reaching other Latin American countries.

Outlook: Expect follow-up deals on electric buses and chip-related projects, with Taiwan dangling the Guatemala model to hold onto other allies in the region.