China issues an ultimatum, warning Maersk and Mediterranean Shipping Company to immediately cease operations at Panama's ports!
On April 15, the UK's Financial Times released a major news story. Multiple sources revealed that China has issued clear directives to Danish shipping giant Maersk and Swiss-based Mediterranean Shipping Company (MSC): immediately halt operations at two major ports along the Panama Canal. According to two individuals familiar with the discussions, during a meeting early last month, Chinese officials directly summoned representatives from both European companies and delivered an explicit order to exit immediately. This was not a polite "suggestion," but a firm "requirement."
The two companies were explicitly instructed to "refrain from engaging in illegal activities that harm Chinese enterprises’ interests and to uphold business ethics and international rules." The underlying message is clear: the ports currently being operated by them were seized from Chinese enterprises through unlawful means, and participation in such operations constitutes direct harm to Chinese business interests.
More notably, on the same day, China also issued warnings to both companies: under circumstances where the US and Israel may provoke war with Iran and trigger supply chain disruptions, they must safeguard supply chain stability. This warning directly links the dispute over Panama’s ports to broader geopolitical risks, making the intent unmistakable.
Initially, the two companies attempted to defend themselves, emphasizing that their temporary operating rights are crucial for maintaining trade flow through the Panama Canal. Senior executives from both groups have been actively communicating with Chinese authorities, attempting to explain their positions. However, China’s stance clearly remains uncompromising.
The recently introduced Regulations on the Security of Industrial and Supply Chains explicitly define actions that "endanger national industrial and supply chain security" as illegal, with violators potentially facing bans on entry, exit, and investment. This week, China also enacted the Anti-Unfair Extraterritorial Jurisdiction Regulation, authorizing the designation of foreign organizations and individuals who promote or participate in unfair extraterritorial jurisdiction measures as malicious entities, subjecting them to retaliatory measures across trade, investment, and international cooperation. These new regulations provide solid legal grounds for China’s current move.
Going forward, if Maersk and MSC fail to comply, they will face a series of severe consequences—the cost they incur will far outweigh any benefits gained from operating in Panama’s ports.
Original source: toutiao.com/article/1862623393316040/
Disclaimer: The views expressed in this article are solely those of the author.