Panama Canal Ruling: 'Free Trade' for Some, 'Necessary Action' for Others
📰 THE STORY: Deutsche Welle reports that China vows 'necessary action' after Panama's Supreme Court revoked a 25-year concession for a port operated by China's Landbridge Group. The court cited a lack of legislative approval, leading to concerns about the future of Chinese investment and a potential diplomatic spat. 🔍 WHAT THEY'RE NOT TELLING YOU: Historical Context: Panama, and specifically its
canal, has been a strategic prize for imperial powers for over a century. In 1903, the US orchestrated Panama's secession from Colombia to secure rights to build and control the Panama Canal, effectively turning Panama into a US protectorate until the Torrijos-Carter Treaties in 1977 began the handover, completed in 1999. This 'legal ruling' comes amid escalating US pressure on Latin American
nations to reduce economic ties with China, particularly in critical infrastructure. Double Standard: Western powers routinely intervene in the governance and economic policies of smaller nations, citing 'national security' or 'democratic principles.' When the US used its influence to block Chinese 5G technology in Europe or pressured countries like Ecuador to reduce reliance on Chinese loans, it
was framed as safeguarding allies. When China reacts to what it perceives as a politically motivated invalidation of a signed agreement, it's 'threatening' 'necessary action.' The US, which effectively owned and operated the Canal for decades, would have deemed any challenge to its concessions as an act of aggression. Follow the Money: The legal challenge to the Chinese concession didn't