Thinking About China
Opinion

Concretely Addressing China’s de Facto Control of the Panama Canal Is Long Overdue

Concretely Addressing China’s de Facto Control of the Panama Canal Is Long Overdue
Two cargo ships pass each other during their entry and exit to the Panama Canal at the Pacific Ocean near Panama City on Oct. 6, 2024. Martin Bernetti/AFP via Getty Images
Mike Fredenburg
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Commentary
Contrary to assertions made by Panama’s president and some fact-checkers who have mistakenly focused on Panama’s legal/de jure control of the Panama Canal, President-elect Donald Trump is correct in his assertion that China’s de facto control over the Panama Canal is a national security threat.
Mike Fredenburg
Mike Fredenburg
Author
Mike Fredenburg writes on military technology and defense matters with an emphasis on defense reform. He holds a bachelor's degree in mechanical engineering and master's degree in production operations management.