United States Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth said on Tuesday that the US government will resume the Panama Canal, which is currently under the influence of China.
The statement came on Hegseth’s recent visit to the Central American country, where he also promised to improve security with Panama forces. The head of the defense said that China would not be allowed to “turn the channel into a weapon” using the trade relations of Chinese companies for espionage.
“Together, we will resume the Panama Channel from China’s influence (…) China has not built this channel. China does not operate this channel and China will not use it as a weapon. Together with Panama in the lead, we will keep the channel safe and available to all nations,” he said.
More than 40% of US container traffic, valued at about $ 270 billion a year, passes through the Panama Canal, accounting for more than two thirds of ships that pass daily through the world’s second busiest interooceanic waterway.
While Hegseth talked about removing Chinese influence, Trump spoke in broader terms and did not rule out the use of military force if necessary.
Hegseth is the first US Secretary of Defense to visit the country in decades, and his trip comes after reports that the Trump government requested US military personnel to secure access to the US -built channel and delivered to Panama in 1999.
Hegseth was received by Panama Public Security Minister Frank Abrego and had private meetings with President José Raul Mulino and other authorities.
“Overall, this has not been a victorious issue for the United States in terms of public diplomacy in Panama,” said Ryan Berg, director of the Americas Program at the Center for Strategic and International Studies.
In February, the current president of Panama announced the country’s formal action to leave China’s Belt and Route initiative and helped Trump in the repression of migrants. He accepted non-Panamanian deportation flights and worked to contain the migration of South America by those who crossed Darien’s dangerous jungle.
Hegseth praised Mulino, saying that his government understood the threat of China. Trump falsely claimed that Beijing is operating the channel-something that even the Pentagon chief said it was not true on Tuesday-and that Chinese soldiers are present at the scene.
But experts recognize US safety concerns, particularly regarding espionage, with an expansive Chinese commercial presence in Panama, which also includes Chinese business plans to build a bridge over the channel.
US officials say the Panama canal would be critical for the passage of country ships during any future conflict in Asia, as the Navy ships would move from the Atlantic to the Pacific to support the war effort.
Even without blocking the channel, China could have a huge advantage by being able to watch the ships that pass it.
Still, John Feeley, a former US-Baixador in Panama from 2015 to 2018, contested the Trump government’s statement that China’s presence in Panama was a violation of the US-Panama Treaty.
“What is not legitimate about how Trump did is the tactic of intimidation he used, which is to claim that there was a violation of the treaty of neutrality, and there was no,” said Feeley.
Mulino defended the channel administration by Panama, saying that he was treated responsible for world trade, including the United States, and that “it is, and will continue to be, Panamanian.”
This content was originally published in Pentagon head wants to interrupt “Chinese influence” on the Panama channel on CNN Brazil.
Source: CNN Brasil
Bruce Belcher is a seasoned author with over 5 years of experience in world news. He writes for online news websites and provides in-depth analysis on the world stock market. Bruce is known for his insightful perspectives and commitment to keeping the public informed.
