China’s Growing Grip on Panama Canal Threatens U.S. National Security and Global Trade

In a recent United Nations Security Council session convened by Panama’s rotating presidency, the United States once again sounded the alarm on China’s expanding influence over the vital Panama Canal. This waterway is not just critical for Panama—it is a linchpin in American national security and international trade. Acting U.S. representative Dorothy Shea flagged Beijing's “disproportionate influence” within the canal’s infrastructure and port operations as a threat far beyond regional concerns. While she did not echo former President Trump’s calls to wrest control of the canal, Shea underscored how China’s growing footprint there directly imperils American sovereignty and freedom of...