Does China 'operate' Panama Canal, as Trump says?

BBC - Jan 22nd, 2025
Open on BBC

In his inaugural address, President Donald Trump reiterated the erroneous claim that China operates the Panama Canal. He stated intentions to reclaim the canal, currently managed by the Panama Canal Authority, from what he described as Chinese control. This claim was refuted by Panamanian President José Raúl Mulino, who asserted that the canal is free from foreign interference and remains under Panamanian control. Trump's comments highlight ongoing US concerns over China's significant investment in Panama's infrastructure, including port operations near the canal.

The historical context of US involvement in the Panama Canal is significant, as the US originally constructed and controlled the canal until it was transferred to Panama in 1999. Despite Trump's assertions, there is no public evidence of Chinese military or governmental control over the canal. However, China's economic influence in the region has grown, with substantial investments in ports and infrastructure. This development plays into broader geopolitical tensions between the US and China, as the latter seeks to expand its presence and influence in Latin America, challenging US dominance in its traditional sphere of influence.

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RATING

6.6
Fair Story
Consider it well-founded

The article provides a comprehensive overview of the geopolitical dynamics surrounding the Panama Canal, balancing historical context with current developments. It accurately describes the canal's management and highlights the strategic implications of Chinese investments in the region. However, the presentation of Trump's inaccurate claims without immediate clarification could mislead readers, affecting the article's overall accuracy.

The inclusion of expert opinions and historical details adds depth and credibility, although the lack of direct quotes from Chinese officials limits the range of perspectives. The article is timely and relevant, addressing issues of public interest and potential impact on global trade and international relations.

While the article is generally clear and engaging, it could benefit from enhanced transparency in sourcing and a more balanced presentation of viewpoints to fully inform and engage its audience. Overall, it succeeds in shedding light on a complex geopolitical issue, encouraging informed discussion and consideration of its broader implications.

RATING DETAILS

7
Accuracy

The article accurately describes the history and current operations of the Panama Canal, noting that it is managed by the Panama Canal Authority, not China. However, it repeats President Trump's incorrect claim that China runs the canal, which is not supported by evidence. The story correctly highlights the significant investments by Chinese companies in the region and the geopolitical tensions that arise from this, which aligns with verified data.

While the article provides context on Chinese influence through investments and port operations, it could mislead readers by not clearly differentiating between operational control and economic influence. Trump's assertions regarding taking back the canal and exorbitant fees are mentioned, but they are countered by statements from Panamanian officials, maintaining some factual balance.

The story includes historical details about the canal's construction and transfer to Panama, which are accurate and well-documented. However, the potential for misunderstanding arises from the lack of explicit clarification that China's role is primarily economic rather than operational or military, which could be misinterpreted by readers.

6
Balance

The article presents multiple perspectives, including Trump's claims, Panamanian officials' responses, and expert analysis on Chinese investments. However, there is a slight imbalance in the emphasis on Trump's inaccurate statements without sufficient immediate clarification, which could skew perception.

The inclusion of expert opinions and historical context helps balance the narrative, but the article could benefit from more direct counterpoints to Trump's claims to prevent any potential bias. The views of Chinese officials or representatives are notably absent, which could provide a more rounded perspective on their investments and intentions.

Overall, while the story attempts to cover different angles, the prominence given to Trump's statements without immediate correction could create an impression of bias or sensationalism.

7
Clarity

The article is generally clear in its language and structure, with a logical flow from historical context to current geopolitical issues. The tone is neutral, though the presentation of Trump's claims could be clearer in terms of their factual accuracy.

The narrative is easy to follow, with a good balance of background information and current events. However, the lack of immediate clarification on the accuracy of certain claims might confuse readers, especially those unfamiliar with the topic.

Overall, the article is well-written and accessible, but it could be improved by more explicitly separating fact from opinion or inaccurate statements.

7
Source quality

The article references statements from President Trump, Panamanian officials, and experts, which adds credibility to the narrative. The use of historical context and data on Chinese investments also supports the reliability of the information presented.

However, the lack of direct quotes or responses from Chinese authorities or companies involved in the region is a gap in the sourcing, which could enhance the story's authority. The reliance on unnamed experts and general references to geopolitical tensions could be strengthened with more specific attributions.

While the sources used are generally credible, the article would benefit from a wider range of perspectives and more detailed attributions to enhance its overall reliability.

6
Transparency

The article provides a reasonable amount of context regarding the history and current status of the Panama Canal, which aids transparency. However, the methodology behind the claims, particularly those related to Chinese influence and investments, is not fully explained.

There is no disclosure of potential conflicts of interest or the basis for the expert opinions cited, which could impact the perceived impartiality of the information. The story could improve transparency by explicitly stating the sources of its data and the criteria for selecting expert commentary.

While the article is informative, greater transparency in sourcing and methodology would help readers better understand the foundation of the claims made and assess their validity.

Sources

  1. https://history.state.gov/milestones/1977-1980/panama-canal
  2. https://www.industryweek.com/the-economy/competitiveness/article/55261229/china-saw-opportunity-in-the-panama-canal-as-us-interest-dwindled
  3. https://www.nbcsandiego.com/news/national-international/a-history-of-the-panama-canal-and-why-the-us-cant-just-take-it-back/3707946/
  4. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/New_Panama_Canal_Company?oldformat=true
  5. https://www.csis.org/analysis/key-decision-point-coming-panama-canal