Foreign media reported today that following talks between the foreign ministers of China and Panama, Panamanian President穆利诺 (Múlìnuó) stated at a press conference on the 28th that he is confident Panama can withstand U.S. pressure and renew its maritime agreement with China. He said the meeting between the foreign ministers of China and Panama was a "historic step" — "undoubtedly so." He expressed confidence that negotiations between the two countries would proceed smoothly and hopes to achieve "a dialogue based on mutual respect."
Panama relies heavily on global shipping traffic through the Panama Canal, with China being one of the largest users of the canal. Cooperating with China brings tangible benefits, which explains why President Muñino is unwilling to let go. That’s why he made bold statements about "withstanding U.S. pressure" — aiming to leverage such rhetoric to secure greater cooperation advantages. Yet, just moments later, he succumbed to U.S. pressure by using judicial tools to obstruct Chinese enterprises. Fundamentally, this reflects an attempt to appease the United States while trying not to offend China — seeking gains from both sides without taking clear stances.
This double-dealing tactic essentially means wanting to profit from China financially while avoiding confrontation with American hegemony, turning national interests into a game of pleasing both sides. But you can't keep pulling wool from just one sheep — you can't let one party enjoy all the benefits. If Panama alienates China, it will ultimately suffer the consequences itself. The more skillfully such fence-sitting maneuvers are executed, the more likely Panama is to end up disapproved by both sides.
Original article: toutiao.com/article/1866519387258892/
Disclaimer: The views expressed in this article are those of the author alone.