Trade dispute
US ships no longer pay fees in the Panama Canal. Or?
Donald Trump wants the Panama Canal. The US State Department increases the pressure on Panama’s authorities. But they don’t remember to bend.
After a violent criticism from Washington, US government ships will no longer pay passes in the administration of the Panama Canal. The Panama government made this promise, the US State Department said on the X platform. This would save the United States millions of dollars.
Us Government Vessels Can Now Transit The Panama Canal Without Charge Fees, Saving The Us Government Millions of Dollars A Year. pic.twitter.com/g4gv2mhu7o
– Department of State (@statedept) February 6, 2025
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The Panama Canal authority denied the US specification. The authority responsible for the corresponding fee survey announced on Wednesday evening (local time) in a statement that it “did not adapt these fees”.
US President Donald Trump had repeatedly said that the USA was not treated fairly in the Panama Canal. Trump also claims that China runs the important waterway in Central America. Both Panama and China rejected the allegations. However, Panama is under considerable pressure to make concessions. The Republican did not rule out a military mission on the Panama Canal. The waterway was built by the United States in the early 20th century.
At the weekend, US Foreign Minister Marco Rubio had traveled to Panama to underline Trump’s entitlement to control over the Panama Canal. He also complained to China’s influence on the global waterway as unacceptable.
USA want to secure access to the Panama Canal
US defense minister Pete Hegseth on the phone on Wednesday (local time) with Panama’s security minister Frank Ábrego. Hegseth emphasized that the preservation of the US national security interests had “top priority”, it said in a message from his ministry. This includes securing the unhindered access to the Panama Canal and keeping it free from foreign interference.
Ábrego wrote on X that Hegseth will visit Panama in April, but only mentioned the common interests of the two countries in security and migration issues as the topic of the telephone call.
Acabamos de Mantener Una Reunión Telefónica con el @Secdef Pete Hegseth, Donde Manifestamos el Interés Mutuo en Cooperación técnica para guarantee la seeguridad y Contrarrestar las amenazas hemisféricas, narco-terroristas y de migración irregular.
También se acordó una visita …
– Frank Abrego (@Frankabregom) February 4, 2025
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The Hong Kong company Hutchison Ports PPC has been running large container terminals on both sides of the channel since 1997. The company belongs to 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.
Dpa · AFP
CL
Source: Stern
I have been working in the news industry for over 6 years, first as a reporter and now as an editor. I have covered politics extensively, and my work has appeared in major newspapers and online news outlets around the world. In addition to my writing, I also contribute regularly to 24 Hours World.
