China Criticizes US “Coercion” Following Panama’s Decision on Belt and Road Pact

China has sharply criticized the United States, accusing it of undermining Chinese-Panamanian relations through coercive tactics after Panama chose not to renew its Belt and Road infrastructure agreement with Beijing. The decision, influenced by US concerns over growing Chinese influence in the region, marks a pivotal shift in geopolitical interactions surrounding the Panama Canal.

China Criticizes US Pressure Amid Panama’s Non-Renewal of Infrastructure Deal

China has strongly voiced its displeasure at what it deems US coercion after Panama chose not to renew a significant infrastructure agreement under Beijing’s Belt and Road Initiative. The decision comes amid escalating geopolitical competition between the United States and China, with the Panama Canal’s strategic significance at the center of the controversy.

Panama Dismisses Trump’s Claims on the Canal’s Sovereignty

In a recent statement, the government of Panama has firmly rejected former President Donald Trump’s assertion that he would seek to reclaim control over the Panama Canal. This response comes in light of Trump’s comments during a rally, where he expressed a desire to take back the canal, which was handed over to Panama in 1999. The Panamanian administration emphasized its sovereignty and the historical significance of the canal to the nation.