China is expanding its presence in the United States, potentially allowing the foreign country access to Florida’s wealthy coast.
China’s maritime logistics and infrastructure projects in the Caribbean region have long given the close proximity to what is sometimes referred to as “America’s third border.” Their continued expansion of influence in the area, in addition to an increase of Chinese national encounters on the border, is giving some experts cause for concern.
“I think the Chinese are trying to gain influence in a region which is very close to the American homeland,” said U.S.-China relations expert Gordon C. Chang to Fox News Digital. As evidence of his point, he referenced the $3.4-billion Freeport Container port project that is taking place less than 90 miles from the Florida coast.
According to a House Foreign Affairs Committee report, between the years of 2005 and 2022, China invested a whopping $10 billion in six Caribbean countries.
Trump addressed the country’s expanding global influence during his inauguration speech in January, specifically mentioning the operation of the Panama Canal.
“Above all, China is operating the Panama Canal. And we didn’t give it to China. We gave it to Panama, and we’re taking it back,” he said. It is true that Chinese businesses have poured a lot of money into the ports and terminals operating close to the canal, with one company in Hong Kong controlling “two of the five ports close to its entrances” according to Fox News.
“This is going to take some time because China didn’t take over the Canal Zone with soldiers, they took it over with people in business attire with large checkbooks and suitcases of cash,” the president continued. “And the United States needs to come in with cash of its own to drive the Chinese out of the Canal Zone and Panama.”
Chang noted that America’s government has largely focused on Eastern Hemisphere threats, often neglecting problems growing right under their nose. However, he suggests that Secretary of State Marco Rubio’s first diplomatic trip to Panama could prove that priority is shifting under Trump’s leadership.
“I think that that shows that President Trump’s foreign policy, at least initially, will be focused on North and South America. This is the first time in more than a century that an American president has given his primary principle focus to countries closest to the United States,” he explained.
Chang also notes that the influx of Chinese migrants, largely identified as males of military age who are travelling alone and claiming not to speak English, is an “ominous sign.”
“And Border Patrol has noticed that in some of these packs, they’re coming across in packs between 4 and 15, that everybody in the pack has an identical kit. That is an ominous sign.”
Writers and editors can be contacted at [email protected] with feedback, tips, or corrections.
Sierra Marlee is a millennial whose hunger for the truth in a world of fake news has led her to write. Marlee also contributes to BizPac Review.
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