On Tuesday, the United States Senate held a hearing to analyze the implications of Chinese influence surrounding the Panama Canal, following President Donald Trump's threat to regain control of this important global shipping route. Republican Senator Ted Cruz, who chairs the Senate Commerce Committee, summoned experts with the aim of determining whether projects like the Fourth Bridge or the terminals in Amador, Puerto Balboa, and Puerto Cristobal, funded by China, could represent a violation of the neutrality established in the treaty that ceded the canal to Panama by the United States.
During the hearing, Cruz stated that the Panama Canal is crucial for U.S. national security, and President Trump has reiterated the importance of this strategic shipping route. It was highlighted that Chinese control over infrastructure related to the canal and excessive transit fees would be contravening the neutrality of the treaty. Cruz mentioned that President Trump maintains that the treaty is currently being infringed.
During the hearing, it was analyzed whether the ports of Balboa (Pacific) and Cristobal (Atlantic), operated by Hutchinson Port Holdings since 1997, could be influenced by the Chinese Communist Party. Experts evaluated whether, in the event of an international crisis like the invasion of Taiwan, Chinese presence in these infrastructures could violate the neutrality treaty. Louis Sola, chairman of the U.S. Federal Maritime Commission, pointed out that the presence of Chinese spies in the companies managing these ports could violate the treaty.
Daniel Maffei, another FMC commissioner, expressed that U.S. companies cannot compete in bids for large infrastructures with China due to their high subsidies, allowing them to gain greater profits elsewhere.
The senators expressed concern about Chinese influence in Latin America through projects like the Belt and Road Initiative. In light of this situation, there is an urgent need to advance the confirmation of Trump's designated ambassador to Panama, Kevin Marino Cabrera. Trump has stated that Panama is "scamming" the United States regarding the Panama Canal.
