Concerns over the Panama Canal have risen, particularly China’s influence on its operations. Soy Transportation Coalition Executive Director Mike Steenhoek said the discussions revolve around the Carter-Torrijos Treaty. “One of the major elements of the treaty is that the Panama Canal shall be operated in a neutral fashion, so it’s not favoring one country or the next and if that neutrality is ever jeopardized, the U.S. military would be authorized to take action to ensure its neutrality.” A Hong Kong-based company that operates two ports in the canal is currently under investigation. “The Panama Canal Authority and the government of Panama are doing an audit of the concession for a Hong Kong-based company, Hutchinson Port Holdings, which operates ports on the Atlantic side and on the Pacific side.” Steenhoek said the leaders in Washington, D.C. are waiting for the results of this audit.
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