China and Panama sign partnerships in Latin American first

[nitpicker]

https://www.dw.com/en/china-and-panama-sign-partnerships-in-latin-american-first/a-46569583

China and Panama sign partnerships in Latin American first

Date 04.12.2018

Chinese President Xi Jinping visited Panama on Monday to sign a range of cooperation agreements and extend China's influence in Central America. China only opened diplomatic ties with the nation last year, and with the new deals, Panama became the first Latin American country to sign on to Beijing's vast "Belt and Road" investment initiative.

What they agreed upon

President Xi and his Panamanian counterpart Juan Carlos Varela signed 19 deals, including:
An extradition treaty
An arrangement where China will provide a non-specified amount of non-reimbursable aid to carry out various projects.
Memoranda of understanding on commercial, tourist, educational matters.
Other deals on trade, infrastructure and banking.
(snip)

Why is Panama important: China has particular interest in Panama due to its strategic location and its eponymous canal. It is also highly attractive for its political stability, growing economy and financial networks. Beijing hopes to use Panama as a logistics hub to help expand its trade in Latin America and the Caribbean.

Usurping US power: Beijing's growing role in Latin America has drawn the attention of the US, sparking fears it is losing influence in its backyard. A series of Latin American countries have made moves to strengthen ties with China, initially by disavowing their recognition of Taiwan. That loss is only being accelarated by the bluster of President Donald Trump against Latin American migrants. Nonetheless, experts have warned Panama faces possible reprisals from the US, the primary user of the Panama Canal, if it gets in the middle of a dispute between the two powers.
(snip)

[mitch96]

1. oops, there goes the canal...

If china wanted to kneecap the US from sending ships to the pacific that would be the perfect way...
m