Al Mayadeen English

  • Ar
  • Es
  • x
Al Mayadeen English

Slogan

  • News
    • Politics
    • Economy
    • Sports
    • Arts&Culture
    • Health
    • Miscellaneous
    • Technology
    • Environment
  • Articles
    • Opinion
    • Analysis
    • Blog
    • Features
  • Videos
    • NewsFeed
    • Video Features
    • Explainers
    • TV
    • Digital Series
  • Infographs
  • In Pictures
  • • LIVE
News
  • Politics
  • Economy
  • Sports
  • Arts&Culture
  • Health
  • Miscellaneous
  • Technology
  • Environment
Articles
  • Opinion
  • Analysis
  • Blog
  • Features
Videos
  • NewsFeed
  • Video Features
  • Explainers
  • TV
  • Digital Series
Infographs
In Pictures
  • Africa
  • Asia
  • Asia-Pacific
  • Europe
  • Latin America
  • MENA
  • Palestine
  • US & Canada
BREAKING
Israeli media: Intense US efforts are being made to resolve differences, such as the issue of the Israeli presence on Mount Hermon and in southern Syria
Israeli media: The security agreement means amending the disengagement agreement, which will also address the Druze issue
Israeli media: Attempts to reach a security agreement between 'Israel' and Syria were among the topics discussed at the Paris meeting
Israeli media: Sheikh Muwaffaq Tarif rejected a US proposal to join the recent tripartite meeting between Tom Barrack, al-Shaibani, and Dermer
Saba News Agency: Two martyred, five injured in a preliminary toll of the Israeli aggression on the Yemeni Oil Company station on Al-Sitteen Street in Sanaa
Senior Yemeni military source to Al Mayadeen: We observed a state of confusion among the enemy's aircraft squadron after Yemeni air defenses intercepted the attack
Senior Yemeni military source to Al Mayadeen: The Yemeni air defense forces succeeded in neutralizing a squadron of enemy aircraft and prevented airstrikes on some governorates
Senior Yemeni military source to Al Mayadeen: Our air defenses and missile forces forced a formation of enemy aircraft to flee the airspace
Member of the Ansar Allah Political Bureau, Mohammed al-Bukhaiti: The Israeli aggression on Yemen will not deter us from continuing to support Gaza, no matter the sacrifices
Al Mayadeen's correspondent: The Israeli aggression targeted the Yemeni Oil Company station on Al-Sitteen Street, southwest of the capital, Sanaa, with several raids

US threatens Panama over alleged 'China influence' in canal operations

  • By Al Mayadeen English
  • Source: Agencies
  • 2 Feb 2025 22:30
3 Min Read

Washington's accusations over Chinese influence in the Panama Canal have resurfaced decades after the US handed over control of the canal to Panama under the Torrijos–Carter Treaties.

Listen
  • x
  • AP
    Panama's President Jose Mulino, center, and Foreign Minister Javier Martinez-Acha, left, meet with US Secretary of State Marco Rubio at the presidential palace in Panama City, on Sunday, February 2, 2025. (AP)

The United States has raised accusations over an alleged Chinese involvement in the Panama Canal, warning that changes must be made or it will take action, according to a statement from the State Department. US Secretary of State Marco Rubio conveyed the message to Panamanian President Jose Raul Mulino during discussions on Sunday, that President Donald Trump views the so-called Beijing's influence as a threat to the vital waterway.

The Panamanian government has firmly pushed back against these accusations, maintaining that it retains full control over the canal and treats all shipping interests equitably.

While the canal itself is operated by Panama, the ports at either end are managed by CK Hutchinson, a publicly listed Hong Kong-based company. Additionally, other port facilities in the vicinity are run by businesses from the US, Singapore, and Taiwan.

The US concerns stem from growing Chinese cooperation with Latin American countries, with Washington increasingly wary of Beijing's role in critical global trade infrastructure. The issue has gained momentum in Congress, with a bipartisan group of US lawmakers warning that China's access to the Panama Canal's key ports could undermine US strategic interests.

Senator Ted Cruz has openly criticized Panama for allowing Chinese companies to operate ports, calling it a "national security risk".

Related News

Panama asks US to avoid dragging it into China conflicts

Trump demands free access for US ships through Panama, Suez canals

Panama rejects US assertions

Following his meeting with Rubio, Mulino reaffirmed that Panama's sovereignty over the canal was not up for debate. His government has also ordered an audit of CK Hutchinson Holdings to confirm that the company remains in compliance with its concession agreements, a move likely aimed at addressing concerns about alleged Chinese influence.

However, the Trump administration's pressure campaign does not appear limited to canal operations. Mulino stated that while he would not discuss canal sovereignty, he was open to assisting the US with migrant repatriation efforts—but only if the US paid for it.

Read more: Following his inauguration, Panama, Mexico vow to fight Trump schemes

Washington's accusations over Chinese influence in the Panama Canal have resurfaced decades after the US handed over control of the canal to Panama under the Torrijos–Carter Treaties.

Some US officials now claim that Panama's dealings with Chinese entities may violate treaty obligations, raising questions over whether the US could intervene to reclaim control of the canal.

Meanwhile, Panama insists that its canal operations remain independent and that shipping access is managed fairly. The Panamanian government has repeatedly denied that it has ceded operational control to China, instead arguing that foreign companies—including American firms—run various ports near the waterway.

  • Panama
  • Panama canal
  • US
  • Trump
  • China

Most Read

Tom Artiom Alexandrovich, executive director of the defense division of the Israeli National Cyber Directorate, undated (Social media)

Israeli-born US prosecutor drops Israeli officer child sex crime

  • Politics
  • 19 Aug 2025
Displaced Palestinians walk through a makeshift camp along the beach in Gaza City, Sunday, Aug. 10, 2025 (AP)

Hamas, other factions accept Egypt-Qatar ceasefire proposal: Exclusive

  • Politics
  • 18 Aug 2025
Palestine will not be liberated by UN reports, but by pursuing a different strategic horizon: one that does not beg for recognition. (Al Mayadeen English; Illustrated by Batoul Chamas)

Economy of Genocide: Albanese's report accuses, but doesn't dismantle system

  • Opinion
  • 18 Aug 2025
Israeli soldiers stand on the top of armoured vehicles parked on an area near the Israeli-Gaza border, as seen from southern Israel, Wednesday, Aug. 20, 2025 (AP)

Palestinian fighters target Israeli soldiers, vehicles in Gaza

  • Politics
  • 21 Aug 2025

Coverage

All
The Ummah's Martyrs

Read Next

All
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu speaks during a press conference at the Prime minister's office in al-Quds, Occupied Palestine, Sunday, Aug. 10, 2025 (AP)
Politics

Netanyahu deliberately derailing truce with Gaza occupation: Hamas

Irish President Michael Higgins arrives to deliver his speech during a 42nd World Food Day celebration at FAO headquarters in Rome, on Oct. 16, 2023. (AP Photo/Alessandra Tarantino)
Politics

Irish president renews call for UN military intervention in Gaza

US Ambassador to Turkey and Special Envoy to Syria Tom Barrack speaks during an interview with The Associated Press at the US Embassy in Aukar, northern suburb of Beirut, Lebanon, Monday, July 21, 2025 (AP)
Politics

US envoy, Netanyahu discuss restraining attacks on Lebanon, withdrawal

Smoke billows following Israeli airstrikes in multiple areas in Sanaa, Yemen, Sunday, Aug. 24, 2025 (AP)
Politics

Ansar Allah vow sustained Gaza support despite Israeli strikes

Al Mayadeen English

Al Mayadeen is an Arab Independent Media Satellite Channel.

All Rights Reserved

  • x
  • Privacy Policy
  • About Us
  • Contact Us
  • Authors
Android
iOS