This chapter examines the agency of Latin American and Caribbean (LAC) actors in demanding Chinese alternative goods through case studies in Argentina, Peru, and Brazil. It challenges the notion that China’s expanding influence in LAC is solely due to Chinese strategy, instead highlighting how local actors actively seek Chinese engagement to meet development needs. The chapter presents two mechanisms of agency: a top-down approach where national governments broker deals with Chinese entities, and a bottom-up approach where subnational actors or private companies initiate engagement. Case studies explore Chinese financing of hydroelectric dams in Argentina, private sector-led port development in Peru, and subnational governments’ procurement of COVID-19 aid in Brazil. These examples demonstrate how LAC actors strategically leverage Chinese offerings to address domestic needs, often filling voids left by traditional partners or bypassing national policies.