The Chinese interests behind Trump’s Panama Canal bluster
Panama has begun an audit of a Hong Kong company that operates ports at either end of its canal, aiming to dispel Washington’s fears of growing Chinese influence over a strategic waterway that President Donald Trump has vowed to “take back”.
As he laid out his “America First” agenda in his inaugural address on Monday, Trump made no mention of his most talked-about territorial fancies, such as buying Greenland or making Canada the 51st US state.
He did, however, repeat his pledge to take over the Panama Canal, suggesting control of the strategic waterway has taken precedence over his other expansionist goals.
The US, which played a pivotal role in building the 51-mile canal more than a century ago, agreed to gradually hand it over to Panama back in 1977, in what Trump has labeled a “foolish” move.
Read moreTrump's expansionist designs, from Greenland to the Panama Canal
To justify “taking it back”, the 47th US president reiterated his claim that the main link between the Atlantic and Pacific oceans has come under Chinese influence.
“China is operating the Panama Canal and we didn’t give it to China,” he said. “We gave it to Panama and we’re taking it back.”
Two ports and an audit
A giant of the industry, Hutchison Ports is not the type of company that could be easily manoeuvred by Chinese authorities.
Read more on FRANCE 24 English
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