Hegseth Takes a Swipe at Chinese Influence in Panama Canal
Hegseth endeavors to reduce China's power over the Panama Canal
In a fiery speech at the Panama Canal, US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth accus came out guns blazing against China. "The US will not tolerate communist China or any other nation threatening the Panama Canal's operation or integrity," Hegseth declared, pointing at the Chinese as the main threat to this vital waterway.
Hegseth's accusations stemmed from the belief that China controls critical infrastructure around the canal, which enables espionage in Panama. According to him, this presents an unacceptable risk to both Panama and the US, making them "less safe, less successful, and less sovereign."
The US and Panama, however, are not taking this threat lying down. They plan to "remove the Panama Canal from Chinese influence" and open it up to all countries. This bold move comes on the back of growing tensions between the US and China over central American investments and China's strategic expansion in the hemisphere.
recent developments
US-Panama Security Pact
In a historic move, Hegseth recently visited Panama, becoming the first US Defense Secretary to do so in decades. During his trip, he attended the Central America Security Conference and emphasized the need to secure the canal from Chinese influence. The US and Panama also signed a joint declaration reaffirming Panama's sovereignty over the canal and outlining increased military cooperation. A memorandum of understanding has been signed, with a final agreement pending to secure toll-free priority passage for US naval vessels through the canal.
Chinese Response
Unsurprisingly, China has rejected the US accusations, stating that it has never participated in the management or operation of the Panama Canal. Beijing has always respected Panama's sovereignty over the canal and sees the US's actions as blackmail and plundering.
Hutchison's Withdrawal
Trump has repeatedly threatened to take control of the Panama Canal, criticizing what he sees as excessive Chinese influence on the waterway. In response, Panama has put pressure on the Hong Kong port operator Hutchison to withdraw from the canal. Hutchison, the current operator of the ports at both entrances to the Panama Canal, announced in March that it would sell these to a US consortium, with 90% of the shares in the Panama Ports Company going for $19 billion to a group of companies led by the investor Blackrock.
The Panama Canal was built by the US and opened in 1914. In 1977, then-US President Jimmy Carter and then-Panamanian military ruler Omar Torrijos signed an agreement to hand over the canal, and in 1999, the Panamanian state took control.
Sources: ntv.de, mli/AFP
- Pete Hegseth
- Donald Trump
- Panama
- China
- USA
- Shipping
- The employment policy within the US Defense Department, under Secretary Pete Hegseth, has been considerably influenced by the recent developments in US-Panama relations, particularly in regard to Chinese influence on the Panama Canal.
- Criticisms towards China's actions surrounding the Panama Canal have prompted the US and Panama to intensify their employment policy, embarking on a joint effort to remove Chinese influence and expanding opportunities for international nations.
- The value of the Panama Ports Company, which currently operates ports at both ends of the Panama Canal, was sold to a US consortium for a billion dollars, a move that followed President Trump's concerns about Chinese influence and his critical stance towards excessive Chinese involvement in the canal.
