Panama Eyes New China Maritime Deal Despite Trump Pressure

Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi met with Panamanian counterpart Javier Martínez-Acha in New York on May 26, 2026. Image via the Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

Panamanian President Jose Raul Mulino expressed confidence Thursday that he can renew a maritime shipping agreement with China, circumventing tensions fueled by U.S. President Donald Trump’s efforts to control the Panama Canal.

After establishing diplomatic relations in 2017, Panama and China formalized a maritime agreement offering preferential port tariffs and easier bureaucratic rules for ships under the Panamanian flag in Chinese harbors.

  • Get a daily email packed with the latest news and analysis from Africa, Asia, and across the Global South.
  • Read exclusive insights on the key trends shaping China’s relations across the Global South.
  • Full access to the News Feed that provides daily updates on Chinese engagement in the Global South.

China, Africa and the Global South... find out what’s happening.

Subscribe today for unlimited access.

OR

Already a subscriber? Log in Click Here to Learn More
by Agence France-Presse

Most Read

1
Developing Countries’ Debt Servicing Costs to China Are Significant, but Nowhere Near as Much as Other Creditors
2
Uncertainty Roils Minerals Markets
3 Chinese Scholars See Russia’s Venezuela Strategy as a Model of Hybrid Power Projection in the U.S.’ Backyard
4 India Forced to Pay Russia in Yuan, Handing China an Unexpected Win
5 From J-10C to Kaan? Indonesia’s Fighter Jet Deal With Turkey Shocks Chinese Military Fans
6 Chinese Military Fans Discuss Why Indonesia Bought Rafale Instead of J-10C

You Might Like

Panama Lawsuit Requests Axing Hong Kong Firm’s Canal Concession

Two Panamanian lawyers filed a complaint Monday to cancel the concession of a Hong Kong-based company for operating two ports on the Panama Canal, following U.S. President Donald Trump’s threats to seize the ...

China Slams U.S. ‘Cold War Mentality’ in Latin America

China on Friday condemned a “Cold War mentality” by the United States in Latin America, saying it had complained over comments by Secretary of State Marco Rubio during a visit to the region. ...

U.S. Will Not Let China Disrupt Panama Canal: Pentagon Chief

By María Isabel Sánchez The United States will not allow China to jeopardize the operations of the Panama Canal, U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth warned during a visit to the Central American nation ...

China warns Panama ports deal firms to ‘proceed with caution’

China urged parties involved in Hong Kong conglomerate CK Hutchison’s sale of Panama Canal ports to exercise “caution” Thursday, warning of legal consequences should they proceed without clearance from Beijing. The Hong Kong ...

What is The China-Global South Project?

Independent

The China-Global South Project is passionately independent, non-partisan and does not advocate for any country, company or culture.

News

A carefully curated selection of the day’s most important China-Global South stories. Updated 24 hours a day by human editors. No bots, no algorithms.

Analysis

Diverse, often unconventional insights from scholars, analysts, journalists and a variety of stakeholders in the China-Global South discourse.

Networking

A unique professional network of China-Africa scholars, analysts, journalists and other practioners from around the world.

More about CGSP
Detected IP: ...

Create a free account, or log in.

Gain access to limited free articles, exclusive research & analysis, news updates, and podcasts.

Yes! I would like to receive new content and updates.