Rising concerns have emerged over China’s increasing control over global maritime trade routes, as the Asian superpower continues to exercise authority over several strategically located canals. With its leverage in contested waterways like the South China Sea, and through initiatives like the Belt and Road Project, China’s influence has grown significantly, deepening the anxiety in the Trump administration. A more recent development adds to this concern as a Chinese company, Landbridge Group, has taken control over operations of the Panama Canal.
From the U.S perspective, these moves are seen inversely proportionate to its own influence and control, raising security alarms. As the number of Chinese controlled ports and canals grows, America’s dominance in global maritime trade seems to decline. The Trump administration voiced fears that China could leverage these canal chokepoints to control global trade, potentially jeopardizing U.S economic interests and security. The strategic importance of the Panama Canal, especially as a shortcut for U.S naval vessels, heightens such concerns. These maritime disputes underline the broader geopolitical conflict between the U.S. and China, stretching far beyond trade wars.
