The chief executive officer of the Panama Canal has rejected President-elect Donald Trump's claims that the waterway, built by the United States more than 100 years ago, is now under Chinese control.
Panama Canal Authority official: “Accusations that China is running the canal are baseless'' Ricaurte Vasquez Morales told the Wall Street Journal on wednesday. “China has no involvement in our business.”
Coach Vázquez Morales reportedly added: “The rules are the rules, there are no exceptions.” “We cannot discriminate against Chinese people, Americans, or anyone else. This violates neutrality treaties and international law, and it would create chaos.”
In the 1970s, then-President Jimmy Carter negotiated an agreement known as the Torrijos-Carter Treaty, agreeing that the United States could use military force to protect the waterway from any threat to its “neutrality.” At the time, this aspect was considered extremely important for the United States, given the threat posed by countries allied with the Soviet Union. Carter also agreed that the Panama Canal itself be handed over to Panama on December 31, 1999.
Trump: Carter was a 'very good' person, but moving the Panama Canal was a 'big mistake'
President-elect Donald Trump speaks during a press conference at Mar-a-Lago on Tuesday, January 7, 2025 in Palm Beach, Florida. (AP Photo/Evan Vucci)
On Tuesday, a reporter asked President Trump at Mar-a-Lago if he would guarantee the world that he would not use “military or economic coercion” to gain control of the Panama Canal and Greenland.
President Trump said, “No, I can't guarantee either of those things. But I can tell you this: We need it for economic security. The Panama Canal was built for the military.” “Look, the Panama Canal is extremely important to our country. It's run by China. China. And we gave it to Panama. We didn't give it to China. And they've been abusing it. It should never have been made. ”
While former President Carter was lying in public at the Capitol, President Trump said he liked former President Carter but disagreed with the deal they made regarding the canal.
“In my opinion, ceding the Panama Canal is why Jimmy Carter lost the election. Probably more so than the hostages. The hostages were a big deal. But remember, no one “I don't want to talk about the Panama Canal, but because it's a bad part of Mr. Carter's legacy,” Trump later added. “But he was a good person. You know, he was a good person. I knew him a little bit and he was a very nice person. But it was a big mistake.”
On June 16, 1978, President Carter speaks next to his wife, Rosalyn, as he arrives in Panama City to sign the Panama Canal Treaty. (AP photo)
This is not the first time the Panamanian government has denied Chinese influence.
“Merry Christmas to everyone, including the wonderful Chinese soldiers who lovingly but illegally operate the Panama Canal,” President Trump posted on the TRUTH socials last month.
In response, Panama's President José Raul Mulino dismissed the claims as “nonsense”, saying at a press conference that there were “not a single Chinese soldier in the canal”.
According to the BBC, he added: “The canal belongs to Panama, it belongs to Panamanians. There is no possibility that any conversation will start around this reality.”
President Trump floats US idea to fill Panama Canal: 'stupidly abandoned'
President Trump's concerns echo those of the Pentagon over China's growing investment in shipping ports around the world.
In testimony before the House Armed Services Committee last March, Gen. Laura J. Richardson, commander of U.S. Southern Command, told lawmakers that the People's Republic of China was “sending a message that its investments are peaceful. In reality, many investments act as talking points.” Potential for future multi-domain access for PLA and Navy strategic choke points. ”
“These investments include critical infrastructure such as deep-water ports, cyber facilities, and space facilities,” Richardson warned. “In Panama, state-owned enterprises (SOEs) under Chinese rule continue to bid for projects related to the Panama Canal, a strategic choke point in the world.''
According to Richardson, 5% of world trade passes through the Panama Canal.
A cargo ship transits the Agua Clara Locks of the Panama Canal in Colon, Panama, on September 2, 2024. (AP Photo/Matthias Delacroix, File)
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The two ports on either side of the Panama Canal have been operated for decades by Hong Kong-based firm Hutchison Ports PPC, the New York Times reported, and the Chinese government has stepped up enforcement of national security laws on Hong Kong Island. He pointed out that It could force companies to comply with intelligence gathering or military operations.
According to the U.S., approximately 40% of container shipping passes through the Panama Canal. in the newspaper.
