587. Panama Canal

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海阔天空：博弈何止在关税？

继国务卿卢比奥访问巴拿马后，美国国防部长海格塞斯昨天也到了巴拿马。目标当然是巴拿马运河。

昨天刚下飞机，他就发表了一个措辞严厉的演讲。他说：“巴拿马运河是美国人修建的，不是中国人修建的。美国把巴拿马运河交给巴拿马政府运营，不是交给中国企业运营。”

今天他再次公开讲话，宣布了一项重大消息：“我们将与巴拿马政府签署一份关于巴拿马运河安全和运营的联合声明，确保美国军舰和辅助舰船能自由通过巴拿马运河”

而在他访问的同时，巴拿马政府突然公布审计报告，指控李嘉诚旗下公司运营巴拿马运河港口违规违约，导致巴拿马政府损失13亿美金。若此项指控属实，李嘉诚将失去巴拿马运河港口的经营权。

此前因为中国政府的干预，导致李嘉诚被迫暂停旗下公司与美国贝莱德公司港口交易案的正式交割。

但巴拿马政府一旦确认李嘉诚公司违规违约经营，巴拿马政府将收回港口经营。那么失去了港口经营权的李嘉诚再也无法主导港口交易。而中国政府也将失去阻扰港口交易的理由。

海格塞斯的访问，实际上是告诉全世界，巴拿马运河对美国非常重要而且势在必得。

中美两国的博弈已经在全方位展开，在这个急剧动荡和变化的大时代，我们每个人既是看客，也是被动或主动的参与者。

你，准备好了吗？

The sky is the limit: The game is not just about tariffs.

Following Secretary of State Rubio's visit to Panama, US Secretary of Defense Hegseth also arrived in Panama yesterday. As soon as he got off the plane yesterday, he gave a harsh speech. He said: "The Panama Canal was built by Americans, not Chinese. The United States handed over the Panama Canal to the Panamanian government for operation, not to Chinese companies." Today he spoke publicly again and announced a major news: "We will sign a joint statement with the Panamanian government on the safety and operation of the Panama Canal to ensure that US warships and auxiliary ships can pass freely through the Panama Canal."

At the same time as his visit, the Panamanian government suddenly released an audit report accusing Li Ka-shing's company of violating regulations and breaching contracts in operating the Panama Canal Port, causing the Panamanian government to lose 1.3 billion US dollars. If this accusation is true, Li Ka-shing will lose the right to operate the Panama Canal Port. Previously, due to the intervention of the Chinese government, Li Ka-shing was forced to suspend the formal delivery of the port transaction between his company and the American BlackRock.

However, once the Panamanian government confirms that Li Ka-shing's company has violated regulations and breached contracts, the Panamanian government will take back the port operation. Then Li Ka-shing, who has lost the right to operate the port, will no longer be able to lead the port transaction. And the Chinese government will also lose the reason to obstruct the port transaction.

Hegseth's visit actually tells the world that the Panama Canal is very important to the United States and must be won.

The game between China and the United States has been unfolding in all directions. In this era of rapid turbulence and change, each of us is both a spectator and a passive or active participant.

Reader86

The game is not just about tariffs.

Following Secretary of State Rubio's visit to Panama, US Secretary of Defense Hegseth also arrived in Panama yesterday. As soon as he got off the plane yesterday, he gave a harsh speech. He said: "The Panama Canal was built by Americans, not Chinese. The United States handed over the Panama Canal to the Panamanian government for operation, not to Chinese companies." Today he spoke publicly again and announced a major news: "We will sign a joint statement with the Panamanian government on the safety and operation of the Panama Canal to ensure that US warships and auxiliary ships can pass freely through the Panama Canal."

At the same time as his visit, the Panamanian government suddenly released an audit report accusing Li Ka-shing's company of violating regulations and breaching contracts in operating the Panama Canal Port, causing the Panamanian government to lose 1.3 billion US dollars. If this accusation is true, Li Ka-shing will lose the right to operate the Panama Canal Port. Previously, due to the intervention of the Chinese government, Li Ka-shing was forced to suspend the formal delivery of the port transaction between his company and the American BlackRock.

However, once the Panamanian government confirms that Li Ka-shing's company has violated regulations and breached contracts, the Panamanian government will take back the port operation. Then Li Ka-shing, who has lost the right to operate the port, will no longer be able to lead the port transaction. And the Chinese government will also lose the reason to obstruct the port transaction.

Hegseth's visit actually tells the world that the Panama Canal is very important to the United States and must be won.

The game between China and the United States has been unfolding in all directions. In this era of rapid turbulence and change, each of us is both a spectator and a passive or active participant.