Staff Reports
Missouri Senator Eric Schmitt is making waves with his bold new resolution aimed at tackling the increasing influence of China over the Panama Canal. This canal is no small potato; it’s one of the most significant waterways in the world and has been crucial for global trade since it opened. Schmitt’s resolution calls for Panama to sever ties with Hong Kong-based companies that currently operate several ports in the canal. It also proposes creating a U.S.-Panama task force to oversee canal security and management. This initiative coincides with former President Trump’s ongoing advocacy for reclaiming control over this vital asset.
The senator voiced concerns that China has effectively taken the reins of the canal, controlling key ports at both ends. This situation is particularly alarming because American naval vessels frequently navigate through the canal, and having a foreign power—especially one with ambitions of global dominance—monitoring their movements doesn’t sit well with many. Once upon a time, there was a promise that the canal would remain neutral, but it appears that promise has been tossed out like yesterday’s news. Instead, it has become part of China’s Belt and Road Initiative, a grand strategy to expand its economic reach and influence.
Schmitt emphasizes that America is locked in a larger competition with China. The senator stresses that we cannot have a scenario where a rival nation possesses control over such a crucial part of our trade and military operations. The fear is that if China maintains its hold, American families may face skyrocketing prices for goods that rely on the canal for transport. Imagine grocery shopping and finding that a loaf of bread has gone up in price just because a foreign power is playing games with international shipping lanes. Not exactly a cheerful scenario!
As for the relationship between Panama and the Chinese companies, Schmitt believes it’s essential for Panama to eliminate any Chinese influence to ensure that the canal operates fairly and neutrally. He argues that the risks of surveillance and potential sabotage are too great. It sounds like Schmitt is preparing for a mighty showdown in the realm of international relations, with the fate of the Panama Canal hanging in the balance.
The beauty of this resolution is that it isn’t just a partisan issue. Schmitt hopes it garners bipartisan support, as it speaks directly to American security and financial stability. After all, 78% of the goods transported through the canal are shipped by American vessels. This news story isn’t just another political tale; it encapsulates the ongoing struggle for the future direction of U.S. foreign policy, trade practices, and national security. So, while the bureaucratic wheels are turning, let’s just hope our navy isn’t stuck playing hide and seek with its would-be adversaries just because they have a better view of the Panama Canal.
