Panama symbolises the Sino-American struggle for influence
The superpowers use soft and hard power
Panama responded quickly to Donald Trump’s rhetoric about Chinese influence in the Panama Canal. On February 2nd it said it would not renew participation in the Belt and Road Initiative (bri), China’s global-development scheme, and it has launched an audit of the Hong Kong firm that runs the ports at each end of the canal. Leaders are reported to be considering cancellation of the contract.
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This article appeared in the China section of the print edition under the headline “Own goal?”
From the February 15th 2025 edition
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China’s propagandists preach defiance in the trade war with America
The public seems on board, for now
Chinese officials are encouraging office workers not to work so hard
More free time means more consumption, they hope
China hawks are losing influence in Trumpworld, despite the trade war
“Restrainers” are taking over from “primacists”
Why are Chinese soldiers fighting in Ukraine?
They have been showing up on both sides of the battlefield throughout the war
China’s shoemakers seem more sanguine than its politicians
A trade war will cause a lot of damage, but many have weathered storms before
To secure exports to Europe, China reconfigures its rail links
A new line will bypass its best friend, Russia