US secures Panama Canal control and forges Morocco and Indonesia military pacts
Updated
Updated · Fortune · May 2
US secures Panama Canal control and forges Morocco and Indonesia military pacts
11 articles · Updated · Fortune · May 2
The April deals could extend US influence over the Straits of Gibraltar and Malacca, after Panama seized canal ports from CK Hutchison in February.
Analysts say the moves target maritime choke points vital to China's energy imports and supply chains, alongside US pressure on Iran and Venezuela.
The strategy unfolds as the Hormuz conflict disrupts nearly 20% of global oil and gas flows, though questions remain over US execution and China's long-term resilience.
Could the U.S. strategy to control global choke points and critical minerals actually accelerate China's self-reliance and reshape global alliances?
How might China's expanded nuclear deterrence and moves in critical minerals shift the balance if U.S. blockades and tariffs continue?
With global supply chains under pressure, what are the risks of unintended escalation or economic fallout from this new 'cold war'?
U.S. Secures Control Over 3 Major Global Maritime Chokepoints in Strategic Push Against China
Overview
Between 2025 and 2026, the U.S. strategically expanded its control over key global maritime chokepoints by acquiring Panama Canal terminals through BlackRock, signing a defense pact with Morocco, and deepening military and economic ties with Indonesia near the Strait of Malacca. These moves form the core of the 'Donroe Doctrine,' aimed at countering China's Belt and Road Initiative by controlling vital trade routes and amplifying China's vulnerability due to its heavy reliance on the Malacca Strait. The strategy triggered legal battles and sovereignty concerns in Panama, economic retaliation from China, and complex balancing acts for partner nations. Meanwhile, climate change and geopolitical tensions threaten the stability of these critical passages, pushing global trade toward resilience amid rising risks of conflict and disruption.