Amid fears of ‘ceding control to China’, US weighs its Panama Canal options
The head of the agency that regulates US ocean-going transport says Washington ‘is not without options’ to deal with Chinese influence
![An aerial view of the Port of Cristobal, one of Panama’s five main ports serving its interoceanic canal, which Donald Trump has stated his intention to reclaim for the US. Photo: EPA-EFE](https://cdn.i-scmp.com/sites/default/files/styles/1020x680/public/d8/images/canvas/2025/01/28/19e0dcdd-1d34-4dbf-b5f3-4230ac43cbe8_7e86cdfb.jpg?itok=cS8bdIub&v=1738033124)
“We need to increase support for American companies seeking to do business in Panama and throughout the Americas. Chinese companies must not be the sole bidders on contracts,” Federal Maritime Commission Chair Louis E. Sola said in written testimony to be presented on Tuesday at the Senate Commerce Committee hearing on the Panama Canal.
“Chinese companies have been able to pursue billions of dollars in development contracts in Panama, many of which were physical infrastructure projects, some on or adjacent to the Panama Canal,” Sola added.
Panama is treating America unfairly and ceding control of key infrastructure to China
Senate Commerce Committee Chair Ted Cruz said ahead of the hearing: “The United States paid for and built the Panama Canal, but Panama is treating America unfairly and ceding control of key infrastructure to China.”
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