"Pursuing Control Over Panama Canal": Pentagon Leader Meets with President of Panama

 

"Pursuing Control Over Panama Canal": Pentagon Leader Meets with President of Panama

"In collaboration, we (the US and Panama) will reclaim the Panama Canal from China's sway," stated Secretary Hegseth in Panama City. The United States intends to regain authority over the Panama Canal, thus diminishing China's impact on one of the globe's critical waterways, announced US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth today following an unusual trip to the Central American nation.

This visit marks the first time in many years that a US defense secretary has traveled to Panama, during which Mr. Hegseth engaged in private discussions with Panamanian President Jose Raul Mulino. He also had the opportunity to closely observe the canal while the US expressed significant worries regarding China's financial investments and actions surrounding this vital passage that links the Atlantic and Pacific oceans. 

After his discussions with the Panamanian administration, the Pentagon leader committed to strengthening military cooperation between the US and Panamanian forces. He emphasized that China would "not be permitted to weaponize" the canal by disguising its espionage activities through commercial dealings of Chinese companies.

"In collaboration, we (the US and Panama) will reclaim the Panama Canal from China's sway," Secretary Hegseth mentioned in Panama City. Given Donald Trump's assertive statements, the stakes for Hegseth's visit were significant.

The newly forged relationship with Panama, the first since 1999, indicates a possible end to China's influence over the Panama Canal, he proposed. "China did not construct this canal. China does not manage this canal, nor will it weaponize this canal. With Panama taking the lead, we will ensure the canal remains secure and accessible for all nations," he asserted.

The Pentagon head also commended President Mulino, noting that his administration recognizes "the danger posed by China." His statements regarding Panama taking the "lead" in addressing the security issues of the canal seemed to acknowledge local sentiments.

While Secretary Hegseth discussed diminishing China's presence in Panama, President Trump has expressed broader concepts and has not hesitated to suggest the possibility of military engagement if deemed necessary. Prior to Mr. Hegseth's visit, the Trump Administration had reportedly sought strategies from the military to secure access to the Panama Canal.

The United States completed the construction of the Panama Canal over a century ago and transferred full operational control to Panama in 1999. This recent development shifts that scenario, as the US military is expected to begin regular patrols and access to the canal in cooperation with Panama's security forces.

As reported by Reuters, numerous current and former US officials along with strategic specialists indicate that the United States has discovered a cooperative ally in combating Chinese influence with Panamanian President Jose Raul Mulino.

In February, President Mulino publicly declared Panama's decision to withdraw from China's Belt and Road Initiative. Additionally, he has supported Donald Trump's efforts to manage migrants within the United States, which included accepting deportation flights for non-Panamanians and taking measures to reduce illegal migration from South America through the hazardous Darien jungle in his country.

26/11 Suspect Tahawwur Rana Transported to India via Charter Flight: Sources

 

26/11 Suspect Tahawwur Rana Transported to India via Charter Flight: Sources

This development follows the US Supreme Court's dismissal of Tahawwur Rana's appeal, which sought to halt his extradition to India. Sources indicate that Tahawwur Rana, charged in connection with the 2008 Mumbai attacks, is being transported to India on a chartered flight following the conclusion of his legal recourse in the United States. The aircraft will require refueling and is anticipated to arrive later tonight or early tomorrow morning.

This decision comes after the US Supreme Court turned down Rana's appeal, which was directed to the Chief Justice. The order from the Supreme Court issued on Monday stated, "The application for stay directed to The Chief Justice and referred to the Court is denied."

In March, the US Supreme Court had previously rejected a similar request. Rana had asserted in a US court that he was suffering from an abdominal aortic aneurysm that was at an immediate risk of rupture, cognitive decline related to Parkinson’s disease, and indicated potential bladder cancer. He claimed that he would not be able to live long enough to stand trial in India and expressed concerns about being harmed in India due to various forms of hostility based on national, ethnic, and cultural grounds.

In February, during a meeting between US President Donald Trump and Prime Minister Narendra Modi, it was announced at a joint press event that Tahawwur Rana would be held accountable in India. He is associated with Pakistani-American terrorist David Coleman Headley, a major conspirator in the November 26 attacks in Mumbai in 2008. A businessman and physician of Pakistani descent, he is also recognized as an immigration entrepreneur. Reports suggest his links to the militant group Lashkar-e-Taiba and Pakistan's intelligence agency, known as ISI.

Rana was acquitted by a US jury of the charge related to providing material assistance for the attacks; however, he was convicted on two other charges and given a prison sentence exceeding 10 years. Following a decline in his health after the Covid pandemic, he was released from prison but was later rearrested to facilitate his extradition to India. Rana contested the extradition order, but he has since run out of legal avenues.

"Extortion": China's Approach to Counter Trump's 50% Tariff Threat

"Extortion": China's Approach to Counter Trump's 50% Tariff Threat
"Extortion": China's Approach to Counter Trump's 50% Tariff Threat
"Extortion": China's Approach to Counter Trump's 50% Tariff Threat
"Extortion": China's Approach to Counter Trump's 50% Tariff Threat
"Extortion": China's Approach to Counter Trump's 50% Tariff Threat

 

"Extortion": China's Approach to Counter Trump's 50% Tariff Threat

Beijing's resistance is rooted in the decision of the Chinese government to present itself as an adversary to what it perceives as "unilateral intimidation" from the United States. 

"It’s extortion." This is how China labeled President Donald Trump's recent warning to implement an additional 50 percent tariff on its products, while asserting its determination to resist the fees "to the end." The American president has granted Beijing a 24-hour ultimatum to retract the reciprocal 34 percent tariff it imposed on U.S. goods the previous week. 

If both parties remain steadfast and Trump follows through with his intentions, the overall new tariffs on Chinese imports entering the United States could reach up to 104 percent this year, intensifying a trade conflict that has already led to significant market declines since the onset of the pandemic. 

"The U.S. threat to increase tariffs against China represents yet another blunder, which reveals the U.S.'s extortionate behavior," stated China's commerce ministry on Tuesday. 

"Should the U.S. persist in its demands, China will resist fully."

The ministry emphasized its willingness to engage in "discussions" with the U.S. and remarked that "there are no victors in a trade conflict."

China's Tactics 

Beijing's resistance is based on the choice of the Chinese government to establish itself as a counterforce against what it describes as "unilateral intimidation" from the United States. Over the recent weekend, Beijing sent a strong signal to the global community, indicating its readiness to withstand a trade conflict.

"U.S. tariffs will have an effect (on China), but 'the sky won't fall,'" the ruling Chinese Communist Party asserted in a commentary published in its official newspaper, People's Daily, on Sunday. 

"Since the U.S. initiated the first trade conflict in 2017 - regardless of how the U.S. acts or pressures - we have continued to grow and advance, showcasing resilience; 'the more pressure we receive, the stronger we become,'" the statement continued.

U.S.-China Trade Conflict 

On Tuesday, Trump announced that he would implement the additional 50 percent tariff on imports from China if Beijing did not retract the 34 percent tariffs it had recently placed on U.S. products.

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"Gaza peace not too distant," states Donald Trump, Netanyahu looks towards a "new deal" for captives.

 

"Gaza peace not too distant," states Donald Trump, Netanyahu looks towards a "new deal" for captives.

On Monday, US President Donald Trump met with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu at the White House, expressing his desire for the conflict in Gaza to cease. He indicated that he envisions peace as being achievable in what he considers a "not-too-distant future." 

"I want to see the conflict end, and I believe it will come to a halt at some time, likely not far off," Trump stated when asked if he would fulfill his campaign pledge to resolve the situation in Gaza, as reported by Reuters. He mentioned that efforts are underway to secure the release of hostages held by Hamas, although obtaining the freedom of all captives is "a lengthy process."

Trump's comments were made during a press interaction with Netanyahu in the Oval Office following their much-anticipated discussion amidst the ongoing Israel-Hamas conflict.

Netanyahu's perspective on the Gaza war's future

Netanyahu noted that he talked with Trump about the US president's "bold vision" for Gaza's future, referring to a plan for the US to take control of the territory, a suggestion that Trump had raised several times during the early days of his presidency.

"China will not comply": Beijing dismisses Donald Trump’s ultimatum of 'NEW tariffs on China of 50%'

 

"China will not comply": Beijing dismisses Donald Trump’s ultimatum of 'NEW tariffs on China of 50%' 

On Tuesday, China’s Ministry of Commerce announced it would oppose US tariffs "until the very end," in response to President Donald Trump's threat to impose 50% tariffs on imports from the country's economy, which ranks second globally. 

A spokesperson for the ministry condemned the actions of the US, referring to it as "an error on top of an error" that underscores America's propensity for coercion, according to Bloomberg. "China will never accept this," stated the spokesperson. 

"The US will face resistance if it continues down this path," the spokesperson continued. 

A representative from the Chinese commerce ministry urged the United States to resolve conflicts with China through respectful and equal discussions. President Donald Trump threatened to "impose ADDITIONAL Tariffs on China of 50%" unless Beijing revokes a 34% retaliatory tax on American products. 

"If China does not remove its 34% increase, which is in addition to their ongoing trade violations, by tomorrow, April 8th, 2025, then the US will enforce NEW Tariffs of 50% on China effective April 9th," Trump announced on social media. 

He also remarked, "All discussions with China regarding their requests for meetings will be canceled!"

"Extortion": China's Approach to Counter Trump's 50% Tariff Threat

"Extortion": China's Approach to Counter Trump's 50% Tariff Threat
"Extortion": China's Approach to Counter Trump's 50% Tariff Threat
"Extortion": China's Approach to Counter Trump's 50% Tariff Threat
"Extortion": China's Approach to Counter Trump's 50% Tariff Threat

 

"Extortion": China's Approach to Counter Trump's 50% Tariff Threat

Beijing's resistance is rooted in the decision of the Chinese government to present itself as an adversary to what it perceives as "unilateral intimidation" from the United States. 

"It’s extortion." This is how China labeled President Donald Trump's recent warning to implement an additional 50 percent tariff on its products, while asserting its determination to resist the fees "to the end." The American president has granted Beijing a 24-hour ultimatum to retract the reciprocal 34 percent tariff it imposed on U.S. goods the previous week. 

If both parties remain steadfast and Trump follows through with his intentions, the overall new tariffs on Chinese imports entering the United States could reach up to 104 percent this year, intensifying a trade conflict that has already led to significant market declines since the onset of the pandemic. 

"The U.S. threat to increase tariffs against China represents yet another blunder, which reveals the U.S.'s extortionate behavior," stated China's commerce ministry on Tuesday. 

"Should the U.S. persist in its demands, China will resist fully."

The ministry emphasized its willingness to engage in "discussions" with the U.S. and remarked that "there are no victors in a trade conflict."

China's Tactics 

Beijing's resistance is based on the choice of the Chinese government to establish itself as a counterforce against what it describes as "unilateral intimidation" from the United States. Over the recent weekend, Beijing sent a strong signal to the global community, indicating its readiness to withstand a trade conflict.

"U.S. tariffs will have an effect (on China), but 'the sky won't fall,'" the ruling Chinese Communist Party asserted in a commentary published in its official newspaper, People's Daily, on Sunday. 

"Since the U.S. initiated the first trade conflict in 2017 - regardless of how the U.S. acts or pressures - we have continued to grow and advance, showcasing resilience; 'the more pressure we receive, the stronger we become,'" the statement continued.

U.S.-China Trade Conflict 

On Tuesday, Trump announced that he would implement the additional 50 percent tariff on imports from China if Beijing did not retract the 34 percent tariffs it had recently placed on U.S. products.

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"Extortion": China's Approach to Counter Trump's 50% Tariff Threat

"Extortion": China's Approach to Counter Trump's 50% Tariff Threat
"Extortion": China's Approach to Counter Trump's 50% Tariff Threat
"Extortion": China's Approach to Counter Trump's 50% Tariff Threat

 

"Extortion": China's Approach to Counter Trump's 50% Tariff Threat

Beijing's resistance is rooted in the decision of the Chinese government to present itself as an adversary to what it perceives as "unilateral intimidation" from the United States. 

"It’s extortion." This is how China labeled President Donald Trump's recent warning to implement an additional 50 percent tariff on its products, while asserting its determination to resist the fees "to the end." The American president has granted Beijing a 24-hour ultimatum to retract the reciprocal 34 percent tariff it imposed on U.S. goods the previous week. 

If both parties remain steadfast and Trump follows through with his intentions, the overall new tariffs on Chinese imports entering the United States could reach up to 104 percent this year, intensifying a trade conflict that has already led to significant market declines since the onset of the pandemic. 

"The U.S. threat to increase tariffs against China represents yet another blunder, which reveals the U.S.'s extortionate behavior," stated China's commerce ministry on Tuesday. 

"Should the U.S. persist in its demands, China will resist fully."

The ministry emphasized its willingness to engage in "discussions" with the U.S. and remarked that "there are no victors in a trade conflict."

China's Tactics 

Beijing's resistance is based on the choice of the Chinese government to establish itself as a counterforce against what it describes as "unilateral intimidation" from the United States. Over the recent weekend, Beijing sent a strong signal to the global community, indicating its readiness to withstand a trade conflict.

"U.S. tariffs will have an effect (on China), but 'the sky won't fall,'" the ruling Chinese Communist Party asserted in a commentary published in its official newspaper, People's Daily, on Sunday. 

"Since the U.S. initiated the first trade conflict in 2017 - regardless of how the U.S. acts or pressures - we have continued to grow and advance, showcasing resilience; 'the more pressure we receive, the stronger we become,'" the statement continued.

U.S.-China Trade Conflict 

On Tuesday, Trump announced that he would implement the additional 50 percent tariff on imports from China if Beijing did not retract the 34 percent tariffs it had recently placed on U.S. products.

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April 08, 2025 at 11:50AM
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April 08, 2025 at 12:13PM
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