US-Panama Pact: What Impact Will it Have on Trade and Regional Geopolitics?

Hegseth Says U.S. Partnering With Panama to Secure Canal, Deter China DoD chief Hegseth and Panama’s minister for canal affairs have signed a declaration affirming US recognition of Panamanian sovereignty over the waterway and a joint commitment to a new cost-sharing model to compensate Panama for the passage of US warships. The pact, characterized as the first step to a broader framework to provide US warships “first and free” passage, and possibly “revive” US bases in Panama, signals Washington’s plans to militarize the region. Curbing China 🔶 During his Panama visit, Hegseth openly identified China as the main target of…