Visit to Panama: Rubio: China’s influence on Panama Canal unacceptable

With a view to China’s influence in the Panama Canal, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio demands an immediate change of course from Panama. “Foreign Minister Rubio has made it clear that the current situation is unacceptable and that the United States would have to take measures without an immediate change of course to protect their rights,” said the spokeswoman for the US State Department, Tammy Bruce, after a meeting Rubios with the President of the country, José Raúl Mulino. The Chinese influence violates the neutrality obligations that result from the channel contracts between the USA and Panama. The United States had recently criticized China’s excessive influence on the waterway.

The meeting was primarily concerned with the control of the ports on both sides of the important waterway – and not the sovereignty over the canal, said Mulino. The situation of the ports is checked. He did not rule out the future participation of US companies there.

Mulino described the meeting as positive. There is no doubt that Panama’s waterway will be operated and that will stay that way, he said. “I don’t think there were any discrepancies in this regard.” A bilateral technical specialist group is used to analyze the concerns of the United States more closely, especially with regard to the “Chinese ports”. Rubio later visited one of the locks of the Panama Canal.

Hong Kong companies operate container terminals

The Hong Kong company Hutchison Ports PPC has been running large container terminals on both sides of the channel since 1997. The company does not belong to the Chinese state, but a rich Hong Kong family. However, there are fears that the government in Beijing could also expand its influence on ports and shipping routes through private Chinese companies.

Protests in Panama against US claims on channel

During the talks in the seat of government, dozens of demonstrators protested on the streets of Panama city with panamic flags against the claims of the US government on the Panama Canal. “This home is not for sale,” it said on banners, as was seen on television.

US President Donald Trump had recently placed claims on the Panama Canal and bluntly said several times that control over the important waterway should be in the USA. He did not rule out military commitment. “I don’t have the impression that there is currently a real threat,” said Mulino after the talks with Rubio.

The 82 -kilometer channel connects the Atlantic with the Pacific in Central America. The waterway was built by the United States in the early 20th century. On December 31, 1999, the United States handed over the channel administration to Panama.

Panama migration policy under mulino

According to Mulino, the topic of migration was also discussed with Rubio. Panama is considered a strategic player in Central America when it comes to containing them. Mulino finally tightened the border controls. After visiting Panama, Rubio continues to El Salvador, Costa Rica, Guatemala and the Dominican Republic. There, too, the topic of migration will play a central role in view of the mass deportations announced by Trump.