Does China Control the Panama Canal, as Trump Claims?

Liberian flagged Hallasan Explorer LPG tanker navigates at the Panama Canal, in Panama on January 20, 2025. ARNULFO FRANCO / AFP

By Juan José Rodríguez

U.S. President Donald Trump’s threat to seize the Panama Canal over alleged undue Chinese influence may really be aimed at limiting Beijing’s growing diplomatic and economic presence in Latin America, experts say.

  • Get a daily email packed with the latest China-Africa news and analysis.
  • Read exclusive insights on the key trends shaping China-Africa relations.
  • Full access to the News Feed that provides daily updates on Chinese engagement in Africa and throughout 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 Chinese Military Fans Discuss Why Indonesia Bought Rafale Instead of J-10C
3
Chinese Cargo Planes Secretly Ferrying Supplies to Iran, Claim Online Sleuths
4
Indonesia Goes Nuclear, Taps China and Russia for Modular Reactors
5
Thailand in Last-Minute U.S. Talks as 36% Tariff Looms
6 From J-10C to Kaan? Indonesia’s Fighter Jet Deal With Turkey Shocks Chinese Military Fans

You Might Like

On First Trip, Rubio to Wield Big Stick in Latin America

By Shaun Tandon Traditionally, when U.S. secretaries of state make their international debuts, they travel to major U.S. allies and offer bromides about working together.

Rubio Warns Panama of Consequences About Chinese “Influence and Control” Over Canal

By Shaun Tandon and Maria Isabel Sanchez U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio on Sunday threatened action against Panama without immediate changes to reduce Chinese influence on the canal, but the country’s leader ...

U.S., China Raise the Stakes in Panama Canal Ports Row

By Holmes Chan, with Luna Lin in Beijing China’s fury at the sale of Panama Canal ports to a U.S.-led consortium reflects how container hubs have become prized currency as Beijing and Washington ...

The Futility of Pompeo’s Anti-China Message in Africa

When U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo began his Africa trip in mid-February, it was clear that countering China’s influence on the continent was at the top of his agenda. Yet from Senegal ...

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