US EditionUS and Five Countries Back Panama After China Ship Detentions
The countries said China’s actions after Panama’s court ruling amount to targeted economic pressure, with nearly 70 ships detained in March, officials said.
- On Tuesday, the United States, Bolivia, Costa Rica, Guyana, Paraguay, and Trinidad and Tobago issued a joint statement condemning China's "targeted economic pressure" on Panamanian-flagged vessels following a court ruling.
- The diplomatic support follows the Supreme Court of Panama's January decision to annul contracts held by a subsidiary of Hong Kong-based CK Hutchison to operate Balboa and Cristobal terminals at the Panama Canal.
- China detained nearly 70 Panamanian-flagged ships in March, according to the Federal Maritime Commission, a number described as "far exceeding historical norms" by the agency. Federal Maritime Commission head Laura DiBella warned these actions threaten United States containerized trade.
- CK Hutchison launched an international arbitration case seeking more than $2 billion in damages, while Beijing summoned representatives from Maersk and the Mediterranean Shipping Company for "high-level discussions" regarding terminal contracts.
- US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said Washington is "deeply concerned" by China's economic pressure on Panama, as analysts warn that global shipping lanes are increasingly becoming pawns in international politics.
26 Articles
26 Articles
US, Allies Issue Joint Statement Backing Panama Against China’s Economic Pressure
The United States and five Latin American and Caribbean nations issued a joint statement on April 28 backing Panama over China’s retaliatory measures after the Central American nation terminated concessions held by Hong Kong-based CK Hutchison to operate two Panama Canal ports. In the statement, the United States, Bolivia, Costa Rica, Guyana, Trinidad and Tobago, and Paraguay said they were closely monitoring what they described as China’s “econ…
The United States and several allies issued a joint statement
Channel News Asia
The PrintUS, allies release joint statement supporting Panama's sovereignty
The United States, Bolivia, Costa Rica, Guyana, Paraguay, and Trinidad and Tobago released a joint statement in support of Panama's sovereignty on Tuesday (Apr 28), saying recent actions by China are an attempt to politicise maritime trade and infringe on the sovereignty of nations in the hemisphere.
Background is an increase in detentions and inspections of vessels flying the Panamanian flag in China
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