A brewing showdown between the United States and China is unfolding over control of the Panama Canal, a strategic waterway that plays a vital role in global shipping. The canal, which connects the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans, has long been a prized asset for the US, which had a 100-year lease on the canal that expired in 1999. However, as China's economic influence continues to grow, Beijing has been quietly building its presence in the region, sparking concerns about its long-term intentions. The escalating tensions have raised questions about the future of global shipping and the delicate balance of power between the world's two largest economies.
Rising tensions over Panama Canal prompt US-China showdown in global shipping power struggle.
