China’s Comment on Trump’s Threat to Regain Control of the Panama Canal
In response to U.S. President-elect Donald Trump’s threat to take back control of the Panama
Canal from Panama, China has expressed its firm support for the Panamanian government’s
sovereignty over the waterway. During a press conference on Monday, Chinese Foreign Ministry
spokesperson Mao Ning declared that Beijing “will always respect Panama’s sovereignty over the
canal and recognize it as a permanently neutral international waterway.”
This statement came after Trump accused Panama of charging “exorbitant fees” for U.S. ships to use the canal and suggested an increasing Chinese influence over this critical maritime route. Mao Ning’s comments were in direct response to these allegations, emphasizing China’s long-standing position on the matter.
Furthermore, Mao referenced comments by Panamanian
President Jose Raul Mulino
Who on Sunday affirmed that every square meter of the canal and its surrounding area belongs to Panama, asserting that “the nation’s sovereignty is non-negotiable.”
This diplomatic exchange highlights the complex interplay of international politics, where
historical treaties, national interests, and global trade routes intersect. The Panama Canal, a vital
artery for global commerce, remains under Panamanian control since its transfer from the U.S. in
1999, a move that was part of a broader shift towards acknowledging national sovereignty in
international waters.
As tensions with rhetoric from Trump’s administration escalate, the international community watches closely, with China positioning itself as a supporter of Panama’s right to manage its own affairs, reflecting a broader narrative of respect for national sovereignty and international law.
