US, Allies Back Panama Sovereignty Amid China Pressure

The United States, along with Bolivia, Costa Rica, Guyana, Paraguay, and Trinidad and Tobago, issued a joint statement on Tuesday supporting Panama's sovereignty in response to what they described as China's targeted economic pressure following a Supreme Court ruling on Panama Canal ports.

The statement highlighted concerns over actions affecting Panama-flagged vessels after Panama's Supreme Court in late January invalidated long-standing concessions held by Panama Ports Company, a subsidiary of Hong Kong-based CK Hutchison. The court declared the 1997 agreements for operating the Balboa and Cristobal terminals unconstitutional. The ports, located at the Pacific and Atlantic entrances to the canal, had been managed by the company for nearly 30 years. Temporary control was transferred to Maersk APM Terminals for Balboa and to a subsidiary of Mediterranean Shipping Company for Cristobal.

"We are monitoring with vigilance China's targeted economic pressure and the recent actions that have affected Panama-flagged vessels," the statement said. "Panama is a pillar of our maritime trading system, and as such must remain free from any undue external pressure. Any attempts to undermine...