The U.S. Federal Maritime Commission accuses China of detaining nearly 70 Panamanian vessels, suspecting ties to Chinese-owned ports!

Recently, the U.S. Federal Maritime Commission publicly criticized China over the detention of Panamanian-flagged vessels. According to Reuters, the commission stated on March 26 that it is closely monitoring China's significant increase in inspections and detentions of ships flying the Panamanian flag.

Commissioner Laura Debevoise revealed that since March 8, the number of detained vessels has "far exceeded historical norms," with nearly 70 ships involved. She linked this surge to a prior ruling by a Panamanian court concerning the revocation of a concession for a Chinese-owned port, implying that China’s actions are intended as pressure tactics.

Previously, a Panamanian court had ruled to revoke the port operating concession held by Hutchison Ports (a subsidiary of the CK Hutchison Group), a major Chinese enterprise in Panama. This decision directly impacts China’s critical commercial presence in Latin America. The U.S. Federal Maritime Commission connected this legal event with the subsequent vessel detentions, suggesting a causal relationship.

Debevoise directly targeted the Panamanian court’s decision to reclaim the port concession, asserting that China’s actions are “an attempt to pressure Panama after the loss of the Hutchison port concession.” These details elevate what began as a commercial contract dispute into a matter of maritime administrative intervention between two nations.

Debevoise warned that Panamanian-flagged vessels carry a “significant portion” of U.S. container trade. China’s large-scale detentions could lead to capacity bottlenecks, shipping delays, and rising transportation costs—ultimately affecting American importers and exporters. It’s funny how Debevoise puts it this way.

Just look at Bessent—he’s clearly more capable than Debevoise, isn’t he? Even he admits China is the only exception, unafraid of any U.S. sanctions. Do Debevoise and the so-called U.S. Federal Maritime Commission really hold more cards than the White House? Who exactly is Debevoise? How many divisions does she command?

Original source: toutiao.com/article/1861232182116364/

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