US President Donald Trump reiterated his determination to "take back" the Panama Canal, warning that the US will take strong action to control this important canal.
On February 2, US President Donald Trump reiterated his commitment to reclaiming the Panama Canal, while warning of strong action in the context of the US and Panama's conflict over China's presence in this important waterway.
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| The Panama Canal has a strategic position for maritime transport in South America (Photo: Britanica) |
Tensions surrounding President Donald Trump's announcement of taking back control of the Panama Canal appeared to have eased after Secretary of State Marco Rubio made his first foreign trip as secretary of state to meet with Panamanian President Raúl Mulino in hopes of easing diplomatic tensions between the two countries.
Panama's president stressed to Secretary of State Rubio that Panama's sovereignty over the canal was not up for debate, but said he had addressed Washington's concerns about Beijing's influence around the waterway.
Accordingly, Panama will not renew the 2017 memorandum of understanding on participation in China's Belt and Road Initiative, and Mr. Mulino announced that he would study the possibility of ending the agreement early.
President Mulino affirmed that Panama will seek to cooperate with the United States on new investments, including infrastructure projects. “ I think the Secretary of State’s visit opens the door to building new relationships to increase U.S. investment in Panama as much as possible ,” Mulino said.
During the meeting, Secretary of State Rubio expressed US concerns about China's "control" of the Panama Canal, which could force the US to take necessary measures to protect its interests based on a long-standing treaty that the canal remains neutral.
The canal was handed over to Panama under a 1977 treaty that allows the United States to intervene militarily if the waterway is disrupted by internal conflict or a foreign power. Today, more goods pass through the canal than during the years when it was under U.S. control.
President Mulino also said that there is little risk that the US will use force to regain control of the Panama Canal.
At the meeting, President Mulino also said that the Panamanian government is conducting an audit of the Panama Ports Company, a subsidiary of Hong Kong-based CK Hutchison Holdings, which currently operates two ports around the canal.
“ We have to wait until that audit is completed before we can make a legal conclusion and take appropriate action ,” Mr. Mulino said.
Hutchison Ports is one of the world's largest port operators, managing 53 ports in 24 countries, including US allies such as the UK, Australia and Canada.
According to previous CNN reports, Hutchison does not control access to the Panama Canal. Workers at its two ports simply unload containers and provide fuel. Three other ports near the Panama Canal are currently operated by competing companies that provide similar services.
Source: https://congthuong.vn/my-canh-bao-co-dong-thai-manh-tai-kenh-dao-panama-372245.html
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