Linkedin-in Youtube Facebook-f

LATIN AMERICA ADVISOR

LATIN AMERICA ADVISOR

A daily publication Of the dialogue

January 17, 2025

Can the United States Take Over the Panama Canal?

Panamanian President José Raúl Mulino recently rejected a suggestion by U.S. President-elect Donald Trump that the United States should reclaim control of the Panama Canal. // File Photo: Panamanian Government.

Q

U.S. President-elect Donald Trump suggested last month that the United States should reclaim control of the Panama Canal, which the United States relinquished to Panama in 1999. Panamanian President José Raúl Mulino said on Dec. 31 that Panama will retain sovereignty over the canal in perpetuity, rejecting allegations that Chinese firms are using the canal to undermine U.S. strategic interests. Are there any viable avenues for the United States to reclaim the canal? How credible is the claim that Chinese companies working in various capacities around the canal pose a national security threat to the United States? How is the situation likely to affect U.S.-Panamanian relations under Mulino, who assumed office in July, and Trump, who assumes office on Jan. 20?

A

Ryan C. Berg, director of the Americas Program at the Center for Strategic & International Studies: “Chinese influence in Panama has been a concern since the country switched diplomatic recognition from Taiwan to China in June 2017 and became the first country in Latin America to join the Belt and Road Initiative five months later. Naturally, these concerns center on the canal—the most critical piece of infrastructure in the Western Hemisphere. Hutchison Ports PPC, previously a Hong Kong-based shipping consortium, is now subject to China’s National Security Law following Beijing’s takeover of Hong Kong. This means that Hutchison is obliged to turn its data over to the Chinese Communist Party upon request. Furthermore, China’s doctrine of civil-military fusion means that the PRC can convert investments into…”

Top News

Argentina Likely Saw its Largest-Ever Trade Surplus: Poll
Argentina’s trade surplus last year was likely its largest on record, according to a Reuters poll of analysts released today.
Brazilian Hedge Fund Outflows Double to Record Level
Brazilian hedge funds last year recorded their largest outflows since record keeping began more than two decades ago.
Colombia’s Petro Suspends Talks With ELN Rebels
Colombian President Gustavo Petro announced today that his government has suspended peace talks with the National Liberation Army, or ELN, after the rebel group allegedly killed several civilians earlier this week.

Complete editions of the Latin America Advisor are delivered on a biweekly basis to members of the Dialogue’s Corporate Program and other subscribers. Sign up below for a free complimentary preview subscription.

Subscribe

ABOUT THE LATIN AMERICA ADVISOR

The Inter-American Dialogue publishes the Latin America Advisor every business day for a distinguished membership of informed corporate leaders, scholars, and government officials invested in Latin America’s development and future. The Advisor‘s highly regarded Q&A section covers questions submitted by subscribers themselves. Commentators regularly include heads of state, business leaders, diplomats, economists, analysts, and thought leaders from around the world. Many of the world’s largest and fastest-growing companies subscribe to the Advisor. To subscribe, click here. For terms and conditions, click here. For more information, contact Gene Kuleta, editor of the Advisor, at gkuleta@thedialogue.org.
Energy Advisor
Financial Services Advisor

Subscribers

the-dialogue-subscribers7
the-dialogue-subscribers6
the-dialogue-subscribers5
the-dialogue-subscribers4
the-dialogue-subscribers3
the-dialogue-subscribers2
the-dialogue-subscribers1

Staff

Gene Kuleta
Editor
202.463.2920
gkuleta@thedialogue.org
Jack Quinn
Reporter

jquinn@thedialogue.org
Subscribe

board of advisors

Diego Arria
Director,
Columbus Group

Merike Blofield
Professor of Political Science,
University of Hamburg

Devry Boughner Vorwerk
CEO,
DevryBV Sustainable Strategies

Joyce Chang
Global Head of Research,
J.P. Morgan

Marlene Fernández
Corporate Vice President for Gov’t Relations,
Arcos Dorados (McDonald’s)

Peter Hakim
President Emeritus,
Inter-American Dialogue

Donna Hrinak
Director,
Adtalem Global Education

Jon E. Huenemann
Council Member,
GLG Inc.

James R. Jones
Chairman,
Monarch Global Strategies

Craig Kelly
Senior Director,
Int’l Gov’t Relations,
Exxon Mobil

Barbara Kotschwar
Professor of Political Economy,
Georgetown University

John Maisto
Director,
US Education Finance Group

Nicolas Mariscal
Chairman,
Grupo Marhnos

Thomas F. McLarty III
Chairman,
McLarty Associates

Beatrice Rangel
Director,
AMLA Consulting

Ernesto Revilla
Head of Latin American Economics, Citi

Gustavo Roosen
President,
IESA

Andrés Rozental
President, Rozental &
Asociados

Shelly Shetty
Managing Director,
Sovereigns, Fitch

The Dialogue is a hemispheric organization that builds networks of cooperation and action to advance democratic resilience, shared prosperity, social inclusion, and sustainable development across the Americas. We impact policy debates, devise solutions, and enhance collaboration to unlock meaningful change in the Western Hemisphere.

Quick Links

Donate

Inter-American Dialogue
1155 15th Street NW | Suite 800
Washington, DC 20005
P: +1-202-822-9002
F: +1-202-822-9553

Preview Latin America Advisor
Linkedin-in Youtube Facebook-f

© 2024 Inter-American Dialogue

Subscribe To
Latin America Advisors

* indicates required field

The Inter-American Dialogue Education Program

SUBSCRIBE TO OUR NEWSLETTER / SUSCRÍBASE A NUESTRO BOLETÍN:

* indicates required

Part-Time: Reporter, Latin America Advisor