Panama court rejects Chinese control of canal ports

In 2025, a lawsuit was filed in Panama’s Supreme Court challenging the constitutionality of contracts allowing a Chinese company to operate ports on the Panama Canal, following US President Donald Trump’s threats to seize control of the waterway and reassert American dominance in the region. The court ruled the contracts unconstitutional, citing violations of Panama’s constitution and financial irregularities, potentially leading to new tenders for port operations. The Chinese company, CK Hutchison, denied the allegations, while China vowed to protect its companies’ interests. Trump’s aggressive stance towards Panama reflects his broader push for US hegemony over the Western Hemisphere, including actions against Venezuela and Greenland.

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