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Senators raise concern about Chinese impact on Panama Canal operations

A bipartisan group of U.S. senators on Tuesday revealed alarm at China's influence on the Panama Canal, which President Donald Trump has actually vowed the United States would take back.

Chinese companies are developing a bridge throughout the canal--. at a sluggish pace so as to take almost a decade-- and control. container ports at either end, Senate Commerce Committee chair. Ted Cruz said at a hearing on the canal's role in U.S. trade and. national security.

The partially-completed bridge offers China the capability. to block the canal without warning, and the ports offer China. ready observation posts to time that action. This scenario. presents severe risks to U.S. nationwide security, he included.

More than 40% of U.S. container traffic, valued at. approximately $270 billion annually, transits the Panama Canal, making. up over two-thirds of vessels passing each day through the. world's second-busiest interoceanic waterway.

Federal Maritime Commission Chair Louis Sola said the. agency will continue to keep an eye on the canal's prices practices. and consider broad evaluations of Panama's maritime sector, and can. impose fines and limitations on Panamanian-flag vessels. going into U.S. ports.

Panama has one of the world's biggest windows registries for. vessels, offering its flag to more than 8,000 ships.

Senator Maria Cantwell, the top Democrat on the committee,. said the U.S. and Panama ought to work together to boost port and. Canal infrastructure to decrease costs and make sure dependability of. the Canal.

She asked for a classified rundown for the committee on. foreign foe threats to the canal and prepares to take a group. of senators to the canal later on this year. I am worried about. the Chinese-owned ports in Panama and their proximity to the. Canal, Cantwell said.

Trump has given no details on when or how he intends to. recover the canal, which is the sovereign territory of an ally. He has declined to dismiss usage of military force, drawing. criticism from Washington's Latin American pals and enemies. alike.

George Mason University law professor Eugene Kontorovich. informed the hearing a neutrality treaty signed when the U.S. transferred the canal to Panama provides both sides the right to. resort to use military to implement provisions. Nevertheless,. military must never be the first option for any sort of. international conflict, he included.

Panama's president, Jose Raul Mulino, stated recently that. Panama has actually administered the canal responsibly for world trade,. consisting of for the U.S., and that it is and will continue to be. Panamanian.

(source: Reuters)