US & Allies Back Panama in China Canal Dispute

0:00It's April 29. From breaking headlines to national stories, this is US News Today, powered by AI. The United States and allies like Bolivia, Costa Rica, Guyana, Paraguay, and Trinidad in Tobago just dropped the joint statement, backing Panama in 18. He did dispute with China over key Panama Canal ports. Panama's Supreme Court ruled in January to cancel long-term contracts for the Balboa and Cristobal terminals run by a Hong Kong firm tied to billionaire Li Ka-sheng, calling them unconstitutional. Now Panama is taking control, and the US crew is calling out what they see as Chinese pushback. This all kicked off after Panama ended deals from the late 1990s, putting the government in charge under President Jose Raul Molino. These ports sit right at the Pacific and Atlantic ends of the Canal, handling massive global trade flows between the US, Asia, and Latin America. The joint statement slams any moves to mess with that, as attacks on hemispheric sovereignty

1:02and threats to everyone's maritime trade. Reactions poured in quick US. Secretary of State Marco Rubio hit X, saying the hemispir sovereignty ain't up for grabs and they're solid with Panama against economic pressure. Folks see this as part of bigger US China rivalry for sway in Latin America, especially over vital infrastructure like the Canal that keeps supply, chains humming. China fired back through their four ministry spokesperson Lynn Jean, calling the claims baseless distortions and saying vessel checks are just, standard procedure. They flipped it, accusing the US of turning business into politics. Panama's holding firm on rule of law and national control while trying to keep trade smooth with both sides. As these tensions simmer, the Canal stays a global lifeline, and everyone's watching how this power play shakes out for trade routes worldwide.