President Donald TrumpLouis Sola, the newly appointed head of the federal maritime commission, says that Panama is being Around inches of China – A risk that Trump said a few weeks ago when he said Will not refuse to use army – And American businesses have been prevented from quite a bid for business.
In his first interview since Trump was appointed for the top maritime role of the administration, the FMC president told the CNBC that the US government wants every business that every business worldwide wants to have a level for the business of Panama Canal and Panama ports. Compete on the playground, including China, but the FMC is worried whether it is not happening. FMC has received a complaint that some Chinese companies are being reimbursed for canal transit, while American companies pay ocean carriers for transit and related costs and are not being reimbursed.
“I find the entire practice dangerous, that the toll of the canal will be returned for any reason, especially when Panama has a neutrality contract or neutrality section in his treaty,” said Sola. “So I think (Panama’s government) really needs to take a look at it.”
Other issues include China’s no-bid contracts to operate two ports on both sides of the canal, as well as others Canal infrastructure projectsThe Hachisan Ports manages and operates Christobal’s port on the Atlantic side of the PPC canal and operates the port of Balboa on the Pacific side of the canal.
“After not paying for 20 years, they renewed the contract and paid $ 7 million per year for both ports. Nothing is found to operate these two ports.
Trump has Threatened to re -establish American control Above the Panama Canal, Panama accused of charging excessive rates. Last week, in a panel of the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland, Panama President Jose Raul Mulino said the canal was not a gift from the United States. “Whatever we have said by Mr. Trump, he has rejected his entirety. First, because it is wrong, and second because the Panama Canal belongs to Panama and belongs to Panama.”
American Senate hearing On Tuesday, many Republican MPs insisted on trump’s position to an aggressive stance from the US from the position of Trump, about the business and safety issues in the canal.
A warning on China’s growing influence on Panama
Federal Maritime Commission (FMC) Chairman Louis Sola (L), FMC Commissioner Daniel speaks with Daniel Pardon, talks to each other to check Panama Canal and its effect before the start of the Senate Commerce Committee. We do. Trade and National Security on Capital Hill at Washington, DC on 28 January 2025.
Andrew Cablero-Renolds | AFP | Getty images
During the CNBC interview, Sola issued a warning about China’s growing influence on Panama.
,I think Panama is close and close to China in the last five years and away from the United States, “He said.” One of the major problems is, we have not been supporting American companies in Panama for a long time. We support other types of initiatives, but supporting an American company to do infrastructure, I have not seen it in a long time. I have seen that China and Brazil have taken $ 20 billion with direct contracts. We definitely need a game at least there. ,
Sola said that he also expects a proposed train line that will associate Panama with Costa Rica, an open bidding process. “I know that there are countries around the world that are interested in developing including America,” Sola said.
Sola said that there are steps that US can retaliate If it looks at improper practices at the canal and ports,
“If (Panmanian government) is going to give Chinese ships or subsidiaries to subsidies for Chinese ports, then we have to see what is in the best interest of American Shipar and to send goods to us. If it becomes an issue. If we go, we all have an option when it comes to business, “he said.
Sola was referring to FMC’s ability to issue adequate fines to a foreign government and was banning the entry of foreign flag vessels at US ports when FMC 1920’s Merchant Marine Act under the Merin Act of 1920 Finds
The FMC may issue sufficient daily fines by calling the Panamanian government and Bar Paminian-Flagged vessels on American ports. The Panama flag is the second most registered flag in the world due to its easy online registration, cheap foreign labor, and the fact that the owners of the vessel do not pay without income tax.
Global shipping has increased the disintegration of global supply chains in the role of Panama Canal. Despite the drought situation, the revenue of the Panama Canal Authority has increased by $ 3.38 billion last year, and has increased revenue every year since 2017.
According to Sola, corruption in Panama remains the biggest problem, and it is an issue that the Trump administration and the Congress need to see again.
“I believe that Chinese has a better ability to discuss these things with its Panmanian counterparts compared to the United States. The lights go out at night and can buy that person at night to turn on your terminal;
In August 2024, Sola, with the then-FMC president Daniel pardon, traveled to Panama to meet with the government and Panama Canal officials to discuss the increase in tolls associated with drought mitigation projects and the canal. Sola said that he is optimistic that Mulino will do a good job with the Trump administration.
“The President of Panama impressed me because we were waiting to meet with our official delegation in our office, and he was late 30 minutes because the election in Venezuela was held a day ago, and that Venezuela was held a day earlier. When he was breaking the relationship with, he seems to be a supporter person. “
Sola said in that meeting, he also discussed the toll accused by the Panama Canal Authority.
In January, the Panama Canal Authority, among other allegations and services, increased the toll to cross the canal this year. As a result a vessel can pay $ 1 million per transit.
40% of all American containers travel through the Panama Canal every year, and in all, annual cargo $ 270 billion.