One America News Network By Brooke Mallory
A U.S. Senate committee heard testimony from the head of the Federal Maritime Commission regarding the United States’ options for dealing with China and Chinese companies’ increased involvement in Panama—specifically the Panama Canal.
President Donald Trump has vowed that the United States will eventually retake the Panama Canal.
Former Democrat President Jimmy Carter, who died on December 9th, 2024, made treaties with Panama back in 1977. The treaties guaranteed that Panama would be given control of the canal after 1999—ending American control, which the U.S. had exercised since 1903.
Federal Maritime Commission Chair Louis E. Sola wasted no time during the hearing, voicing several concerns on behalf of the U.S. and the Trump administration.
“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,” said Sola in written testimony on Tuesday at the Senate Commerce Committee hearing on the Panama Canal.
He also added that “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.”
Additionally, before the hearing, Senate Commerce Committee Chair Ted Cruz (R-Fla.) asserted: “The United States paid for and built the Panama Canal, but Panama is treating America unfairly and ceding control of key infrastructure to China.”
“Chinese companies have won contracts, often without fair competition, as the infamous ‘Belt and Road Initiative’ has come to Panama. China often engages in ‘debt-trap diplomacy’ to enable economic and political coercion,” Cruz continued…
READ FULL ARTICLE HERE… (oann.com)
Home | Caravan to Midnight (zutalk.com)
