US accuses China of ‘bullying’ Panama-based ships, Beijing says ‘repeated wrongful allegations’ being spread to take control of canal

China’s decision to detain or otherwise impede Panama-flagged vessels engaged in lawful trade destabilizes amounts to “bullying”, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said on Thursday. The alleged “bullying” by China began after Panama struck down contracts with a Hong Kong conglomerate operating ports on both sides of the Panama Canal. Panama has been caught in a broader rivalry between Washington and Beijing after President Donald Trump accused China last year of running the Panama Canal. The Trump administration sees the critical maritime trade route as strategically important, both commercially and militarily, and has not shied away from retaking the…