Panama Canal and Its Impact on US Trade and National Security | ANALYSIS

[@indylovelace]

Oh boy, better call Sal! This channel is about to rocket into orbit as the spotlight on Maritime strategy finally hits the tipping point

[@wgowshipping]

Thanks. I've been covering this topic for a while, and it is definitely getting more attention now.

[@Nick-gj6je]

@@wgowshipping we came for the Bab-al-mandeb drinking but stayed for the great maritime content! Keep it up!

[@who2u333]

Within a year we will see him wearing a monocle and top hat during his videos.

[@phil20_20]

Need more followers on BlueSky. Come on, plug your noses and dive in!

[@davefellhoelter1343]

watching for YEARS!

[@laurenglass4514]

I knew we would hear about the Panama Canal from the expert! Sal.

[@wtmayhew]

The US really dropped the ball, not looking past the end of its own nose. If there aren’t dollar signs visible in the next fifteen minutes, stuff doesn’t get done. Heaven forbid looking forward 50, 30 or even 10 years down the road.

[@kkquikB1]

@@wtmayhew many us assets have been confiscated over the years in latam. Rule of law is weak and favor unscrupulous actors like china. Any investments would have to be protected by playing hardball, a game which we try not to play but china excels at.

[@KeithRowley]

Exactly. That's one of the main differences between us (the USA) and China -- China's leadership is looking into the long-term future.

[@davidgoodnow269]

It's a real shift from the kind of thinking that got the Panama Canal built in the first place -- or steel foundries and mills, or Patent laws . . . .

[@Ballosopheraptor]

It's ironic though I feel like what's happening to the USA is the same thing that happened to the USSR... started over-prioritizing the military rather than economic/development solution to every problem. Every problem required more militarism, more tanks and jets, rather than more ports, factories, and good will. Arguably the approach they (Russia/China) are taking towards us now is basically the same Reagan took towards the USSR in the 80s. Distract us with asymmetric proxy conflicts (how bout a war in Afghanistan), get us to devote massive amounts of our budget to military spending without starting a direct war between nuclear powers, all while they spend a way higher portion of GDP on infrastructure and growth.

[@smilingfox8978]

That is what America first yields. Isolationism and it does not work.

[@zonian1966]

5:30 Correction: The treaty was signed in '77 not in '79. It was the transition to Panama that started in '79, October 1st to be exact.

[@wgowshipping]

My bad. Exactly correct.

[@arcanondrum6543]

"The Panama Deception" narrated by Elizabeth Montgomery ("Samantha" of Bewitched) makes clear the premise used to "go back there". Unfortunately, the very beginning was klipped on this platform. It diverts briefly to an Official Statement from the State Department where "no interference in Arab to Arab relations" was pledged, "greenlighting" Saddam's "interest" in the country just south of his.

[@densely]

The treaties were signed in 1977, ratified by the US Senate in 1979.

[@zonian1966]

@@densely Correction: The treaties were ratified in 78, not in 79.

[@densely]

@@zonian1966 My mistake. Jimmy Carter signed the enabling law that allowed them to go into effect on September 27, 1979.

[@gerbalblaste]

America saws off its legs to improve shareholder returns and complains when the Chinese state is capable of basic strategic planning.

[@stillcrass]

Hey it works for MY portfolio!

[@ExploreTayo]

​@stillcrass and really that's all that's important. My portfolio for the short term. 😆

[@randallsmerna384]

The US arrogantly assumed Panama wouldn't go behind the back of the US. Duh!

[@ExploreTayo]

@@randallsmerna384 the US arrogant? Never! 😆

[@gregwhited8037]

​@stillcrass Nice to hear your portfolio is more important than National and World Security.

[@ralphaverill2001]

Great video, Sal. Absolutely spot-on not just about the Panama Canal but about the status of US shipping and ship-building in general and the influence of the Chinese throughout the world. I think this is one of your best.

[@stuartkcalvin]

Thanks Sal, very informative. 👏👏 Cheers, from Australia

[@thaedra]

Always amazing and informative shows... thank you Sal!!

[@wgowshipping]

Thanks

[@bradleyalexander5821]

Extremely smart content on a very important issue. So glad I’m a (new) subscriber, I’ve learned so much. Thanks and looking forward to watching the channel.

[@ohms497]

Thanks! Very interesting.

[@wgowshipping]

I am glad you found it interesting.

[@alantrott6581]

Sal has one of the best channels for not just maritime issues but geo-political as well. It"s funny how Trump throws out issues like Greenland and the canal and we don't really know what he's talking about. But then channels like Sal's jump all over these things and within a couple of weeks we've learned a lot. Many thanks

[@wendigo63music55]

Sal didn't explain how this will make eggs cheaper

[@John-vw4qz]

I was curious about it, so here it is in case you are too. The cost to license Van Halen's song "Panama" depends on the work and can range from $250 to over $2,000. The average cost to license music is between $250 and $400.

[@josephbravo2590]

Or free… Panama Panama, ow Panama, oh Panama, oh-oh-oh-oh Woo! kzbin.info/www/bejne/nKaudXWGrJ2qh6Msi=dItdDDTpDcg0EXwN

[@davidkamaunu8734]

Through whom do you go to license the song and insure the artist is compensated not lawyers?

[@JohnnyMotel99]

Is there no Van Halen on the KZbin free music library? There are other famous musicians there.

[@whya2ndaccount]

The US is learning what its like to be outside the tent and being a customer, as opposed to being inside the tent and helping to support the canal. "Neutral" does not mean "US Friendly", it means neutral - just talk to the Kapitan of the Admiral Graf Spee.

[@doonn1994]

The 1977 "Treaty Concerning the Permanent Neutrality and Operation of the Panama Canal" defines what neutrality means in regards to the operation of the canal, and it at least for me it looks like that war ships of any party to a conflict (unless against Panama) may transit through the canal even during time of war. "Article II The Republic or Panama declares the neutrality of the Canal in order that both in time or peace and in time of war it shall remain secure and open to peaceful transit by the vessels of all nations on terms of entire equality, so that there will be no discrimination against any nation, or its citizens or subjects, concerning the conditions or charges of transit, ... The foregoing- shall be subject to the following- requirements: ... c) The requirement that transiting- vessels commit no acts of hostility while in the Canal; " "Article II ... (e) Vessels of war and auxiliary vessels of all nations shall at all time be entitled to transit the Canal, irrespective of their internal operation, means of propulsion, origin, destination or armament, without being subjected, as a condition of transit, to inspection, search or surveillance. However, such vessels may be required to certify that they have complied with an applicable health, sanitation and quarantine regulations. In addition, such vessels shall be entitled to refuse to disclose their internal operation, origin, armament, cargo or destination. " I left some things out to keep the size down, but imo nothing that substantially changes the meaning, feel free to go read the whole thing, its only 3 pages. pancanal.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/07/neutrality-treaty.pdf Btw don't confuse the "Treaty Concerning the Permanent Neutrality and Operation of the Panama Canal" and the "Panama Canal Treaty" like I did initially, the latter is more about the process of handing over the canal back to Panama and it has since self terminated upon completion in 1999, but the neutrality treaty is still in effect. edit: imo this is not neutrality, more like indifference... but that is how it is defined in the treaty...

[@TKUA11]

Yeah probably not a good idea to make enemies of the countries we rely on

[@deannekwon6822]

I can’t help but play that in my head “Panama! Panama!” exactly like in the song each and every time I hear mention of Panama. Emblazoned in my mind for eternity. I love it.

[@Andy-vf7de]

How much will Sol charge for his version?

[@josephbravo2590]

Panama Panama, ow Panama, oh Panama, oh-oh-oh-oh Woo! kzbin.info/www/bejne/nKaudXWGrJ2qh6Msi=dItdDDTpDcg0EXwN

[@davidkamaunu8734]

My brother and I used to sing "Curly and Moe!!" and have a laugh... Had no idea where or what 'Panama' was... 😂

[@28704joe]

If that is all this issue does for you , I'm happy for you too.

[@robertnessful]

My brother-in-law was in the 82nd Airborne Division during Operation Just Cause, the US invasion of Panama in 1989. When Panamanian dictator Manuel Noriega sought refuge in the Papal Nuncio's residence, US Army Psychological Operations teams parked trucks with huge speakers outside the building and played American rock music loudly. According to my brother-in-law, Van Halen was in frequent rotation on the army's play list.

[@julianeaves1913]

... and did he get any royalties? Just wondering. ;)

[@paulgrossi60]

You give what the corrupt media does not, objective balanced truth. Keep up the great work.

[@R2-SO]

Hi Sal It is the Panama Canal Authority (PCA/ ACP in Spanish) which administers and operates the Panama Canal. Panama Maritime Authority (PMA) is the one that administers and manages Panamas flag registry, provides sailors work licenses, administers public ports and oversees the private ports concessions, and supervises the auxiliary fleet that operates in Panamas territorial waters providing food, tools, repairs to the vessels waiting to cross the canal. Both are Different entities Big hi from a long time follower and a Panamanian Maritime Lawyer 🇵🇦

[@davidgoodnow269]

Cool and thanks!

[@Skeletors_Closet]

Panama is an interesting place. The maritime laws make me think of some conspiracy stuff and the days of pirates. I would live to pick your brain about Panama. 😂

[@scottwatrous7649]

Who handles the cocaine?

[@R2-SO]

@@scottwatrous7649 drug confiscations are done by the “Servicio Aeronaval” (SENAN) and the “Servicio Nacional de Fronteras” (SENAFRONT) both work with their European and US allies (DEA) and US Coastguards Panama is the No1 in the region in drug confiscation.

[@R2-SO]

@@scottwatrous7649 both organisations the Servicio Aeronaval (SENAN) and the Servicio Nacional de Fronteras (SENAFRONT), they work closely with the US coast guard and DEA and European allies. Hope that helps.

[@Sasa-rr9zf]

Greetings from Australia 🇦🇺 love this channel and its utter unbiased presentation. Great work mate!!!

[@grahamepinnell367]

A really good resume of the Panama panic, with some sensible suggestions. Thanks.

[@wgowshipping]

Glad it was helpful!

[@BigAl3270]

@@wgowshipping Read the whole treaty - it explicitly grants permission to transit US warships!

[@Sugarmountaincondo]

I like your terminology of "Panama Panic" and I sure that it will eventually make its way into more Congressional Hearings if not outright spoken by the POTUS himself 😜

[@danielseelye6005]

​@@BigAl3270 Yes, but the carriers are too big to transit and you're not gonna have the cruisers and destroyers transit while leaving the carriers to go alone.

[@P_RO_]

@@BigAl3270 I haven't read the treaty but you seem to be conversant with it so a question: Are our warships guaranteed to receive priority (first in line)? Would we have to outbid others to get a position? If the latter, I can see where China might intentionally amass a lot of ships and simply outbid us on the positions,harming us economically and slowing our warships passage substantially without Panama actually denying us passage.

[@douglasboyle6544]

Thanks Sal, you're level-headed and informative as always.

[@etanneriii]

Listen to these experts. Thank you for this channel. People need to know this information.

[@joysachs9032]

That was great. Gave lots of clarity. Muchas gracias from Panama 🇵🇦

[@wgowshipping]

Glad it was helpful!

[@BreakOutAnotherThousand]

Thank you for this video. It helped to clarify the issues on Panama! I always like your videos! Keep up the hard work!

[@teekev125]

Thanks, Sal!! This answered a lot of questions I had about the Panama Canal. Rock On Dude!!

[@RupertFoulmouth]

I paused the video, listened to the song and resumed. I got your back Sal, save that money.

[@Idlemind842]

I paused the video, looked to see what windows wanted this time then went back a few seconds and resumed.

[@jameshennighan8193]

OUTSTANDING, SIMPLY OUTSTANDING Sal, Once again an outstanding and thorough analysis from WGOWS. Well done. This should be compulsory viewing for those who want to understand the Panama Canal, Maritime Logistics and World Shipping. Yet again another example of the US taking its eye off the ball. You couldn't make this stuff up.....! James Hennighan Yorkshire, England

[@gwventura1]

When I saw that thumbnail, I was like, "Sal you better sing for us!" Thanks for the levity! Thanks also for the news details and your commentary on it.

[@smith...1]

I am learning so much about ...the world ! Thanks Sal, love from Australia 🌏

[@jackkohler1392]

Great Job Sal! Wish more people would pay attention to this!

[@charlesdeaderick5638]

Thanks!

[@P61guy61]

Excellent. Thank you for sharing your condensed information.

[@hansmak7321]

Thanks for the update. Glad to see Max in the background. We had our differences but I still respect his efforts.

[@rosqeauxsretreat6829]

Great, informative channel!

[@corey3301]

Enjoyed it, thanks! It's also nice to see the civility in the comments section. Glad to see we still have some mature people left in the world.

[@robertpierce1981]

Thanks for the education in every episode Sal.

[@hammarby1169]

Then why don't the US just invest a shit ton of money in infrastructure on either side of and along the Panama canal to counter Chinese investments? Taking back the canal because the US was asleep at the helm for 40 years seems like it would do a lot more harm than good to US influence and posture overseas.

[@zonian1966]

Kansas City Southern rebuilt the Panama Railroad in the early 2000s and they operate it under contract since that time. It moves containers between the two Chinese operated but Panamanian owned ports .

[@moromoro2163]

Maybe because we’re broke.

[@davidgoodnow269]

Because it wouldn't take a sh!t-ton of money, it would take not being @$$holes. How f*cking likely is that?

[@ActaNonVerba1961]

We wont take it away from Panama but we might send some troops back to all the empty bases we left behind in 1998… not that troops could prevent enemy sabotage of the canal. One or two sunk ships in strategic locations could close the canal for months

[@gmaduro]

One of the five container ports at the exits of the Panama Canal is operated by a US company, SSA Marine. US companies do not compete on fair playing field. It is illegal for US companies to make payments under the table to Panamanian government officials. Chinese companies do not have such limitation. It is widely rumored that Hunchinson won the bid for their ports in 1996 under those conditions.

[@davidg3944]

Thanks, Sal - this was a particularly interesting video. I'm glad that the hearing was grounded in policy and reality, something sorely missing recently.

[@larrysmall3521]

This is the most non-partisan discussion I have from our congress in years. Finally, they seem to agree on something important.

[@bend3rbot]

They do this EVERY DAY! It's only Fox News after the tea party era that amps up the performative theater of combative ideologies and ridicule. The few Republican Senators to publicly avoid the circus of opposition are in safe seats, and very old, and not up for re-election any year soon.

[@brandonhoffman4712]

Bi-partisan Edit: the alien one last year or the year before was equally as bi-partisan.

[@gordybishop2375]

Bipartisan to take Panamas right to choose who they want to do business with. Smells like Imperialism because we are greedy asshats.

[@cyan_oxy6734]

I feel like they're saying the quiet part out loud. "How dare our colony take steps in its own interest".

[@andrestein6022]

​@@cyan_oxy6734not just it's own interest though, could be a theoretical knife to our economic throat. That's the worry lol

[@guyeverett6493]

Terrific conversation

[@Formulabruce]

Very Popular Video, Lots of subject matter here. Great job Sal, Thanks!

[@cherylsmith8274]

Thank goodness the usa is facing up to this. My dad was a ship builder and talked about how the west had been gutted of strategic maritime tools. He had worked all his life making/fixing ships and struggled from the 90s getting work, because all the work had gone east. He was very skilled and in the end worked in making parts for offshore rigs.

[@alganhar1]

Thats a lot of the problem the US now faces. They allowed their shipbuilding to essentially collapse, but regaining that is not just a case of building more yards, or refurbishing abandoned yards. Its about the entire network. Infrastructure, logistics, people. All those have gone, and all of them need to be rebuilt essentially from the ground up. If you lose an industry, you do not wave a magic wand to have it suddenly reappear, you have to invest, and rebuild that industry over a period of decades. There is no quick fix. No matter what certain politicians might claim. Slapping tariffs on steel will not magically regenerate the USA's long lost dominance in the steel industry for example. It would require years of investment and work alongside those tariffs. Tariffs alone will do nothing save drive prices up.

[@TKUA11]

Just wait until trump pisses Panama off and their citizens who are here illegally. If it’s that important maybe he shouldn’t be talking smack about these countries ?

[@nighthawk984]

very balanced and informative

[@jangele]

Thank you! Really enjoying your informative videos and I always share them because so many of us should be more aware of the info you cover 👏

[@tomlobos2871]

i accidently read the story of kaiser shipyards and LA steelworks a couple of days ago. intresting to look at when it comes to us shipbuilding.

[@JamesHarder620]

Great content; thanks for sharing

[@TechOttawa]

That thumbnail is WILD! LMAO - thanks Sal! Loved your visit to FPP, just finishing it now. You are a one man army! 💪

[@MattyK166]

😂😂😂 OMG...spat my coffee out laughing at the graphic That was great Sal

[@Miata822]

Thanks! Priceless content w/ context.

[@wgowshipping]

Glad you found it helpful!

[@tianyi05]

The United States spend trillions of dollars projecting military superiority. China finds it cheaper to spend billions projecting commercial power. One should compare the US military budget to the Chinese overseas investment budget and see who is getting a better return for their dollar.

[@davidgoodnow269]

Damn good point!

[@davidkamaunu8734]

Genius! However those in the think tanks will not allow this kind of study which would clearly illustrate the disparity. There was a DoD study of Africa which showed a geometric increase in Islamic Insurgency with US military security assistance.. 😮 That's when African nations started switching to Russia's foreign legion.. Wagner. They get a better deal with them than US. 😅

[@rosskstar]

When a big contingent of yer gubment take their marching orders from the Dark Side, yer gonna have a bad time

[@ActaNonVerba1961]

You’re right but Panama is different. It is the only way to get ships from one ocean to another. It was, and to a lesser degree, still is a military and strategic location. Our troops there (and artillery) has played a major role in limiting enemy capabilities in wartime and in peace. Have troops, and spending US dollars to support them, there made sense for many years. BTW, I believe we were the first to employ economic tactic to control other countries resources (in many oil and mineral rich countries, for example). We would convince their corrupt leaders to accept huge loans from the World Bank in order to build “infrastructure “ in their countries, knowing full well they might not be able to pay them back. Then we squeeze them to do whatever we want. If you are interested, read “Confessions of an Economic Hit Man”. So, China is just copying us, like they always have

[@davidgoodnow269]

@ActaNonVerba1961 Oh, _some_ of us have learned _a lot_ from China! But *that is a damn good book recommendation!* It's important to recognize our own bullshit; an informed population is the only way that a democracy / republic can function!

[@DeaconBlu]

Great Video Sal! Thank You! We (as a Nation ) need to pay Far, FAR more attention to this. Nicely done sir!

[@lacdirk]

If the US wanted to remain relevant in South and Middle America, why didn't it invest there? It would take a lot of taxpayer dollars, but if these countries were less violent, more democratic and started catching up economically to the US, far fewer of their citizens would be coming to the US. That would work a lot better than trying to stop desperate people from crossing the border.

[@kkquikB1]

At any moment they can be expropriated, a la venezuela and cuba. Rule of law is very weak, and any judicial judgement can find your assets confiscated because of some invented infraction. Very risky investment. We are not talking about europe here. The investments work for china because they have no qualms employing bribery, hacking, assasination, blackmail, etc.

[@vanessawaddle1963]

Indeed ❤️

[@solandri69]

Because of historic U.S. meddling in the Americas, any U.S. involvement - especially with encouragement by the U.S. government - is immediately viewed in these countries with suspicion. Dictators and corrupt leaders of these countries also take advantage of this, and always use the U.S. as the bogeyman for problems they themselves have caused. They would spin more U.S. involvement as the U.S. trying to take over the country. I don't entirely blame those countries. A large part of this is the U.S. reaping what it sowed by how it treated these countries in the 1800s and most of the 1900s. But it makes what you're proposing a lot more difficult and complicated. Right now the political and economic leaders in these countries are big fish in little ponds, and are content to leave it that way. They don't care if their economies develop, so long as they retain power. They need to be overthrown (or convinced to allow reforms) if you want to see true economic progress. IIRC, the GDP per capita in South and Central America is the second lowest in the world, after Africa.

[@lacdirk]

@@kkquikB1 Well, strengthening the rule of law is a core part of any development strategy, and expropriated assets are a great way to justify endless sanctions, as Cuba shows. Of course it's no longer possible for the US to push for the rule of law, now that it's led by a convicted felon in the process of destroying the rule of law at home. But the US most definitely wasn't like that when it decided to stop investing in South and Middle America. China takes the same risks when it invests as any other country: a revolution can undo a lot of influence (cfr. Syria).

[@BigAl3270]

Yeah, investing in all of those places in "Middle America" - like Kansas, Oklahoma, Nebraska ... If only people there were less violent and more democratic. Do you have any idea of the level of violence in the countries you are talking about. Panama, for example, has much less violent crime per capita than the US - hmm, no guns in Panama. Also, Panamanians cherish their democracy and 80%+ turn out and vote - compare that to the feeble turnout in the US.

[@jonlangford7622]

Thanks for this. The breakdown of the testimony, and your input of course, were definitely worth the time.

[@petermelville5524]

Sal -please tell us how much the rights to play Panama once on your channel…love your channel

[@judymcnulty8600]

I love the variety of your content, it's all interesting and informative. Especially your recent insights on fire fighting.

[@hessex1899]

The thumbnail is amazing!

[@carmenmccauley585]

I almost went past because I hated the thumbnail.

[@isabeljanes8230]

Besides seeing Trump's face, I don't understand the thumbnail

[@hessex1899]

@ It's a frame grab from Van Halen's "Panama" video. The dude under the copy pasta trump face is David Lee Roth.

[@hemetsonshine]

Oh Sal. I hope you receive a million subscribers. I know you are gonna cover this right. Can't wait to hear the details.

[@stevekirk8546]

Ah Sal how do you do it? A seemingly dry topic that mainstream media barely touch on yet you make it facinating and explain why it matters. Good to see the politicians at the hearing seemed to know what they were talking about and left confrontational politics out of the matter. Keep doing what you're doing Sal.

[@John-fv3pt]

Thankyou, Sal, for the big wake up call.! Forget about Van Hallen. You singing voice is good enough.

[@SimonSmith-hj7oq]

It is good to see politics working as it should. When facts are presented it cuts through the nonsense. A really good explanation of the situation not just in Panama but globally. The major maritime nations only have themselves to blame for turning their backs on the industry for so long. And of course there is a huge difference between control from a Chinese-owned company as compared to what was a Hong Kong-owned company when Hong Kong was two systems under the Chinese as should remain the case today

[@haroldsmith45302]

Thank you for this calmly-presented explanatory information.

[@curtisroberts9137]

I think that it goes back to the rush of the 80s and 90s to go global with everything. American companies were in such a hurry to make billions by cutting costs with overseas manufacturing and so forth that our ship manufacturing, etc. were forgotten as they were more expensive. So now we are seeing the costs of globalization.

[@davidgoodnow269]

Those costs were very visible at the time! Anyone who went to Wal-Mart and couldn't find a Made in America shirt to buy knew it damn well, which is why Sam Walton agreed to set a requirement that _only_ items for which an American manufacturer _could not be found_ would be sold in Wal-Mart stores. As with many other of his policies, his children threw that out when they inherited. But it was the U.S. Embargo on the Republic of South Africa that permanently killed all substantial manufacturing in the United States of America. China bought up long-term contracts on all mines in the R.S.A. for pennies on the dollar, and U.S. manufacturers were forced to move to the P.R.C. or close forever -- it was completely legal to _use_ R.S.A. ores and minerals to manufacture goods and sell them in the U.S. of A., it just wasn't legal to _buy them_ *in* _the R.S.A.!_

[@cyan_oxy6734]

They literally sold the future for a profit.

[@mark1sown]

Great work 🫵🤠👍 Big Time information ✌️😎🤙 Thanks again Sal

[@zonian1966]

5:26 Correction: The Canal Zone was 5 mi either side of the center line of the canal prism, not 25. This does not include the city of Colon and Panama City which were the Republic of Panama, inside the boundaries of the Canal Zone. There were no physical borders, you just (for instance) crossed the street and you were in Panama. No visas, no passport, no checkpoints, nothing.

[@zonian1966]

"No Panamanians were allowed inside the canal Zone." That is not true. Thousands of Panamanians lived and/or worked inside the Canal Zone. In order to live in the Canal Zone it was required that you work for the Panama Canal. Didn't mean you couldn't visit. The Panama Canal was Panama's largest employer.

[@zonian1966]

​@R2-SOAre you old enough to remember the bombings in '76?

[@zonian1966]

​@R2-SOI guess your answer tells me that you weren't really there when it was the Canal Zone because you're talking about things that came afterwards. There's a lot of myth that floats around Panama so don't believe everything you hear. There was 20 years of dictatorship there and they really did a number on the history books.

[@zonian1966]

​@R2-SOWell... military bases are pretty much the same everywhere. I cannot go on to a military base in the United States and I'm a US citizen. However, the Canal Zone was not a military base even though there were military bases in the Canal Zone. The airport was in the Canal Zone, before it was at Tocumen and Panamanians had to be able to get to the airport, for example. The ports were in Balboa and Cristobal and they had to be accessible to the Panamanians. The railroad was accessible to Panamanians. All these things were in the Canal Zone but none of them are on military bases. I could go on a military base in the canal zone but I was not allowed to go into a PX or a commissary or anything like that because I was not in the military.

[@zonian1966]

​@R2-SOAfter operation Just Cause, In December 89, I went into the Guardia G2 office in Amador and it was loaded with anti-American propaganda. It was one of their psyops operations. Just pure BS. I took some of those books and I have them here today. I think you've been given a very jaundiced view of the history of the Canal Zone. I've read in the treaty itself that it allows right of passage through the Canal Zone for Panamanians but, I can't remember if it's in the original treaty or the Addendum between FDR and Arias or the Eisenhower treaty. I think it's the original.

[@wpherigo1]

Always the best, straight to the point, nonpartisan reporting out there.

[@perbilse573]

Wow, talk about the world being asleep at the wheel. Not just wrt Panama, as they said, but everywhere worldwide, as was also covered in the previous video on the issue. Very, very interesting, and very important; thank you.

[@dannnmerkle7930]

I just wanted to say that Thumbnail is gold. By far the funniest thing I've seen in a while.

[@wgowshipping]

@@dannnmerkle7930 Thanks

[@JohnHolmes-h9v]

Don't know if it matters but I'm actually learning a lot about a subject that I didn't really have any interest in before. It just goes to show that there is some useful information out there and it's not just all silly cat videos🎉

[@ashiesmum]

👍 thank you. Fascinating insight from you as usual.

[@Im-just-Stardust]

I'm a very big fan of your channel! Always great content cheers Sal.

[@henrikforsman2530]

I always press like on your videos before I’ve even watched them. I know they will be good.

[@JPaul60]

For those too young to remember that purple costume was from the Van Halen music video "Panama". There is another famous one "Panama Red" by the New Riders of the Purple Sage with an entirely different meaning. Heh-heh

[@GWNorth-db8vn]

Bet your woman's up in bed with old Panama Red.

[@josephbravo2590]

Panama Panama, ow Panama, oh Panama, oh-oh-oh-oh Woo! kzbin.info/www/bejne/nKaudXWGrJ2qh6Msi=dItdDDTpDcg0EXwN

[@connectwithyourdeck]

Fabulous video - it really explains what’s going on - thank you!! Now to share with hubby so he can watch it too!!

[@JimmyHat-k4t]

This is insight

[@ClaireforUkraine]

So cool. How significant is shipping at this time! 🎉🎉🎉

[@m.an.4879]

I’m feeling pretty old seeing this lead in to the story (Panama….). I recall that “Welcome to the Jungle” was blasted during the invasion back in 1989. Really don’t want to see US troops being used to forcibly take the canal.

[@davidgoodnow269]

No sh!t. Had people I knew involved in that, every single one of them hated themselves for obeying those orders. All to cover for a corrupt drug-dealing U.S. President.

[@robinchristmas6448]

Loved this show, thank you,

[@billykershaw2781]

It's such a vulnerable choke point, they exist elsewhere....

[@dennishill4098]

Very interesting and very important information 👍

[@tapio_m6861]

The budget might not be enough for the Panama song, Sal, but the end product is nonetheless of high quality.

[@TheVigilant109]

Fascinating. Many thanks

[@tonywilson4713]

*AUSTRALIAN HERE* As we got mentioned as one of the countries that has sold the rights to Ports to Chinese Companies I felt I should add to this. This all came form the Privatisation Ideology of our Economists who follow the same Chicago School economic ideology as is causing these problems all over the World. That ideology was part of what was called Reaganomics and Thatcherism in the 1980s. We called it Economic Rationalism and its now globally referred to as Neoliberal Economics or Chicago School Economics. 2 of the core ideologies of Neoliberal economics are privatisation of government assets and foreign investment. Australian economists are almost obsessed with foreign investment and will give any tax concession and any other concessions to foreign entities so long as money comes in. *The problem is they never consider the money that subsequently leaves as profits. They also never consider the loss of security or soveriegnty.* The sale/leasing of the Ports is in general HATED by the Australian people and it has NOTHING to do with it being Chinese. *Its the simple fact we don't control our own points of entry.*

[@davidgoodnow269]

*THANK YOU!* I have heard of, "neoliberal economics," but hadn't identified it as connected with any particular School of Economics. As someone who grew up under Carter and Reagan, and _knew_ Bush since I was six, I saw the good Reagan did in his bid to end the Cold War, but also recognized multiple long-term disasters he began. Glad to know where to dig deeper! You wouldn't happen to know where "Neo-conservative" comes from, as well?

[@djinn666]

Actually you still do. They can't do anything when the port is on Australian land. You can re-nationalize it at any moment for any reason.

[@tonywilson4713]

@@davidgoodnow269 I'm an engineer and in 2016 I found out how badly Australia's power stations were being managed and when I went to find out why I found it was ECONOMISTS. They are a profession that's totally out of control. if you ever wondered why nothing seems to change no matter who gets elected ITS BECAUSE OF ECONOMISTS. Every politician is either an economists or has an economics advisor and the core education of economics is totally dominated by Chicago school ideology. I actually did Econ 101 as one of my humanities options and all they taught in that class was supply-v-demand curves for different types of markets so that you could recognise a market type and then understand the basics of how it worked. My view NOW, is that it's NOT what Econ 101 should be. It should be the basics of what economics actually is and how it can both explain an aspect of society but also be a means to shape society AND IMPORTANTLY Econ 101 needs to cover the history of economics, because that puts a lot of stuff into perspective. If your interested one of the best sources is the podcast Mark Blyth called the RCP (Rhodes Centre Podcast) at Brown U. Its mostly book talks with people who have written about Economics. Mark is also one of the only people who has actually described properly that there's been different versions of capitalism NOT JUST 1.

[@tonywilson4713]

@@djinn666 YEAH we could try but there's things called contracts and courts like to uphold contracts. We'd need to catch the Chinese doing something illegal (tax evasion, drug smuggling, people smuggling, whatever) or the courts will simply prevent it without a massive compensation package.

[@djinn666]

@@tonywilson4713 The courts are still Australian. I doubt the courts will do anything if their ownership was a real risk to core national interests. Or you can pass a law and exclude port infrastructure renationalization from requiring compensation. Or pass a law that makes it impossible in practice for them to operate it legally then fine them until they hand it back. Or just take it over without doing so officially. Not saying any of these should be done, just that it can if push comes to shove.

[@russellcaywood1459]

Thank you so much Sall wonderful .😊

[@JohnHolmes-h9v]

0:08 don't worry Sal we're all singing it for you!!!

[@jamesfeeney7903]

Some of the best information on Truly What Matters for America 🇺🇸! Awesome stuff! 🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸

[@halkearsley3872]

Amazingly informative! More need to know this information......

[@gerbalblaste]

I thought the Heritage folks thought market pricing was the only acceptable solution to any shortage. Now they cry because Panama is using market pricing to distribute resources in shortage...

[@kkquikB1]

@@gerbalblaste the treaty terms are clear that the us retains the right to return under circumstances. Allowing an undemocratic closed market system like china control the "market" is no open market at all.

[@KeithRowley]

Yes, the "free" market only looks for short-term profits for their shareholders. We need more long-term perspective.

[@grizzz6884]

@@KeithRowley we have never had a free market a free market has no laws

Well, that just means that they are wrong now and should stick to their principles. Auctioning off the passages seems like exactly the right thing to do when demand exceeds supply.

[@stillcrass]

Exactly.

[@Syl-Vee]

Fascinating stuff.Thank you!

[@djinn666]

The hearing is a disgrace. We hand over the canal, get annoyed Panama acts in their own interest, then act like we still own it, even suggesting we might do something against Panama-flagged ships. This is not a sign of a strong and powerful nation.

[@AnonUser-b6y]

Carter should never have handed it over. Carter was a disgrace of a president and it’s past time *all* his mistakes were corrected.

[@glennchartrand5411]

Panama gave China control over the two ports at each end of the canal in "no-bid contracts" Nobody else was even offered a chance at control of these ports Panama's own Deputy Attorney General objected to it. This violates the treaty Panama has with the United States. I don't think Trump is planning on actually taking the canal back , he just wants China out of it and for Panama to investigate how this happened in the first place.

[@TLS44039]

@@AnonUser-b6y But his stupidity should be corrected in a tactful, fair way. Past deals need to be honored, and resolved by making a better deal. IF possible, but if not, we need to forget about it and stop being the global bully.

[@swirvinbirds1971]

Strategic national interests... Kinda how the world works unfortunately.

[@ulf5738]

That’s the American arrogance we’re all used to. If America tries to take back the channel it isn’t hard to imagine a new drone war and full stop in shipping.

[@joestellwagon2122]

As always, Great job Sal.

[@williamlloyd3769]

Auction of transit slots for the Panama Canal! Pure capitalism, shocked I tell you, shocked! What, US shippers complaining about having to bid on a transit slot! Parish the thought.

[@davidgoodnow269]

"Perish" not "Parish", took me a bit to figure out why what I was seeing is wrong. Freaking English homophones!

[@NoName-OG1]

English majors…

[@CoolChannelName]

War is also free capitalism. I think the USA could defeat Panama.

[@pietromaximov6838]

@@CoolChannelName No, that is imperialism and authoritarianism.

[@CoolChannelName]

​@@pietromaximov6838 I know I don't run America and I'm pretty sure you don't run your Nation either. I'm certain that the government in Panama is delighted that China is building things without employing anyone in Panama. The average citizen is just a bystander witnessing the same families get richer and richer.

[@apergiel]

I’ve wondered about the lack of Chinese military bases around the world. Now I know they have been building productive assets in strategic ports. Keeping prices low for the world’s consumers. Smart thinking! Great show, thank you.

[@keithelliott4636]

As soon as I saw your headline, Van Halen came to mind.

[@johnland5042]

Excellent review of a major concern.

[@JeffWok]

Love the thumbnail

[@icecoldrugby]

Which way does water pump out of a lock? I know traditionally it is allowed to flood the lower lock, but would pumping up offset the water loss enough to make up for the cost of pumping?

[@dactarik2615]

direction to the sea. each moved ship uses a lock worth of fresh water

[@fakshen1973]

Mexico is building a railway across its narrowest point to compete with the Panama Canal. There are also railways linking USA to that area should overland transportation be needed if the USA needs more ports. Creating meaningful jobs in southern Mexico would draw Mexican migrants to the southern parts of Mexico rather than the north. If the USA had a strategic partnership in that railway and those ports for the next 100 years, that would solve a lot of issues for us.

[@davidgoodnow269]

Absolutely, _YES!_ I had forgotten about Sal talking about that over the summer, and that's the kind of project that the U.S. should aid or at least avoid interfering with!

[@luislicona386]

Hey! Mexican here. The first stage of the railway (called Interoceanic Corridor) is up and running as of last year. The rail line going south towards Guatemala (Línea K) is also being modernized. Last I checked the next stage of development was already underway to increase volume through the corridor. Also, last week president Sheinbaum announced Plan México which I highly encourage you to research. In summary it’s a plan that opens the country to foreign investment, focusing on STEM and including the legal basis for companies to invest and relocate to that specific part of the country where the Interoceanic Corridor is located (which was previously politically sensitive due to the corridor passing through indigenous communities, but they signed a referendum to allow the construction and operation of industry in that area to promote growth). In that region alone they designated 10 new areas called Polos Industriales (Industrial Nodes) where local and international companies can set up operations, plus 100+ in other parts of the country. China immediately expressed interest about investing in the region, so they are just one step away from getting ahead in that regard. Respectfully, as someone who is frankly hurt to hear such an aggressive rhetoric towards my country from a neighboring ally and our largest trade partner; I wish your president spent less time trying to bully us and instead laid the groundwork to make investments like the one you mentioned happen. If the US doesn’t act soon, China will (as it has in other parts of the world). I don’t see China’s investment as negative, but I would prefer better integration between North American countries, so I would celebrate US investment if it happens. I’m also happy with Sheinbaum’s policy so far, as she is making Mexico more open to business. Now we just need business to be open to Mexico lol (and for the US to be a bit more collaborative if we’re honest). Saludos from México 🇲🇽 ✌🏼

[@aitorbleda8267]

The problem with this solution is that you have to unload and load again. If your destination is the US, why not unload in the us? Oh yes, longshoremen unions (guilds?) make it very expensive. Still a good thing to have, but Panama building a railway along the canal might be more useful.

[@davidgoodnow269]

@luislicona386 I think the bullying is bad form. The actions, appropriate because they were effective. But absolutely, the U.S. of A. needs to fix its own problems instead of blaming the United States of Mexico for "failing to control its criminals" . . . who wouldn't have a business, if Americans weren't addicts! Same with investment. Mexico has so much the same resources for wealth as America, it has always boggled my mind why Mexico isn't equally wealthy on a per-person basis . . . more like Canada, but a whole lot stronger since it isn't frozen! I really hope that Mexico doesn't fall to China. Hopefully Congress doesn't stand in the way of improving American investment in Mexico.

[@fakshen1973]

@luislicona386 I'm all about creating great paying jobs in Mexico. It's cheaper than building walls and frankly not having to deal with the stress of living some place illegally means something.

[@MADHIKER777]

No one brings it all together like Sal! The world is a complicated place and its issues peel back like layers of an onion. As with many industries, the USA has abandoned direct control in exchange for higher profits (benefitting the Oligarchy) and China has smartly filled the void to their own advantage. This is the natural order of anything. Control and the reeping of profits for a few, rather than everyone working together to both produce and to share in profits, is a recipe for decline for the USA. Another great, informative video! Keep up the good work, Sal.

[@MegaCavatina]

It’s important to note that CK Hutchinson is a PRIVATE Hong Kong Company, a huge multinational conglomerate worth 150 billion HKD. Li Ka-Shing is considered by Forbes to be the 33rd richest man in the world. So the two ports at either end of the Panama Canal are NOT controlled by the Chinese Government. Li Ka-Shing has not always gotten along with Beijing. You can buy CK Hutchison stock which at the moment is around $5 US.

[@SamTheEnglishTeacher]

China is gradually tightening the reins on HK. I lived there and saw it myself, including local pushback. Another thing stupidly given away, HK is rightfully part of the Commonwealth. It was so wildly successful precisely because it wasn't run like Mainland China.

[@tom.m]

But given how things have gone for Hong Kong, that could change if the CCP decides it needs to.

[@MegaCavatina]

@ how have “things gone for Hong Kong”? Please elucidate. HK government is much like the relationship between Greenland and Denmark. In this regard, the Chinese government is responsible for HK’s defense and its foreign relations. Otherwise, HK is self-governing. This arrangement will last until 2047. As far as I know, Li Ka-Shing holds duel HK and Canadian citizenship. China does not allow dual citizenship. He is also a Knight Commander of the Order of the British Empire as well as a Commandeur of the Legion d’honneur. Thus, he is more aligned with the West than with China. In this way, the two ports at either end of the Panama Canal are probably more aligned with the West than with China.

[@tom.m]

Don't play dumb. Or is your memory really so short? You can't truly self-govern with the CCP manipulating the politics and public discourse. And I'm sure they could find a reason to arrest and seize assets if they chose to.

[@tom.m]

@@MegaCavatina Seems YT won't let me reply. I'll try again. Don't play the fool. Is your memory really that short? You can't self-govern with the CCP manipulating politics and public discourse. And it would be very easy to make up a reason to arrest if they choose. Look at what happened last year around the Tiananmen Square anniversary, then imagine if it was something really important.

[@chrislaarman7532]

Sal, thank you very much for your explanations and considerations! Song: there is a 1920s jazz song named "Panama". Catchy tune, as far as I remember (from listening to recordings). You may be able to use renditions of which rights have expired. Problem: in my European perception (not opinion), the US government tries to have a cake and eat it, whereas the Chinese government is "subsidizing cake bakeries". You can't have both saving on government spending and offering government subsidies. (Well, you can, but...) Skipping for now: policies based on interests or based on rules of law.

[@stevecrombie5357]

Sal for Ambassador of Panama. If you want something done give to the guy that is always busy. It was nice to see that this old mans brain did remember some of the events around the Chinese presence in Panama. I think I remember a Chinese company being hired to rebuild the SF Bay Bridge after its collapse in 1989 also. They're thinking way out in the future on this stuff people.