“Risk to National Security”: U.S. Lawmakers Concerned Over China’s Presence in the Panama Canal

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RKS NEWS 5 Min Read
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In his inaugural speech, U.S. President Donald Trump pledged to reclaim control of the Panama Canal, a crucial global trade route, amid concerns about China’s increasing presence in the region. According to Voice of America correspondent Katherine Gypson, U.S. senators discussed security concerns related to the Panama Canal and the next steps on Tuesday.

Just days after taking office, President Trump told Republican lawmakers that he wanted the vital global transit point— the Panama Canal— to be brought back under U.S. control, citing unfair treatment of American transport.

“China has essentially taken control, and we will not allow this to happen. We will not let this occur. It was the largest investment ever made by any country,” President Trump stated.

Republican lawmakers expressed concerns on Tuesday, stating that the canal now represents a national security risk.

“Chinese companies are currently building a bridge at the canal at a slow pace, which will take nearly a decade to complete. Chinese firms control the container ports on both ends of the canal. The partially completed bridge gives China the ability to block the canal without warning, and the ports provide China with observation points, ready to find the right moment for such an action. This situation, in my view, presents acute risks to the national security of the United States. Meanwhile, the high fees for canal transit impact Americans far more,” said Republican Senator Ted Cruz.

The United States constructed the canal in 1914 and had control over it until 1977, when it was handed over to Panama. Earlier this month, Panamanian President Jose Raul Mulino affirmed that the canal will remain under Panama’s control.

“Panama is not distracted by this kind of statement. We have long been a friend and ally of the United States,” said the Panamanian president.

Approximately 72% of the goods transiting through the canal either come from or are headed to U.S. markets. The Panama Canal Treaty protects the international neutrality of the passage for maritime transport and allows the United States to intervene if this neutrality is threatened.

“If Panama were to sign a treaty with the People’s Republic of China, allowing China to manage the canal on Panama’s behalf, this would be a clear violation. What if Panama contracted with a Chinese state-owned company, or even a private company partially controlled by the Chinese government for port operations? In other words, a company doesn’t need to be fully owned by the government to be partially controlled by it,” said Eugene Kontorovich, a law professor at George Mason University.

Senator Maria Cantwell, the Democratic leader on the Senate Commerce Committee, called for stronger trade agreements and enhanced cybersecurity to address the issue.

“The biggest issue is that we need to understand the flaws in the current agreement and address concerns in light of advanced technology. I would hope that Panama would be very cooperative in discussing these security investments and what needs to be done,” Senator Cantwell said.

An analyst told VOA that proposed legislation, such as the America Act, could help address these issues.

“At the end of the day, it really comes down to investments in America. It’s the most powerful tool to counter China’s growing influence in the region because trade means the countries receiving this investment will create more jobs, have greater prosperity. You will see fewer people needing to migrate to the United States,” said Maria Bozmoski, an analyst at the Atlantic Council.

In his first overseas trip as Secretary of State, Marco Rubio will visit Panama in early February.

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