Rubio warns China that Panama Canal sovereignty is non-negotiable

Key Points:

• U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio warned China that sovereignty in the Western Hemisphere is non-negotiable amid accusations that China detained Panama-flagged ships in a dispute linked to control over Panama Canal ports.
• The U.S., along with Bolivia, Costa Rica, Guyana, Paraguay, and Trinidad and Tobago, condemned China’s actions as politicizing maritime trade and infringing on regional sovereignty, framing the issue as part of a broader strategic contest over global trade routes.
• The dispute follows Panama’s Supreme Court invalidation of Hong Kong-based CK Hutchison’s control of key canal terminals, with nearly 70 Panama-flagged vessels reportedly detained by Chinese authorities since March, seen by U.S. officials as retaliatory pressure.
• China denies politicizing trade, calling U.S. accusations baseless and asserting that inspections of vessels were routine and lawful, while accusing the U.S. of politicizing port issues and spreading misinformation.
• Analysts link the Panama dispute to wider geopolitical tensions involving China, the U.S., and regional proxies, highlighting a strategic struggle over control of critical maritime chokepoints and global trade influence.