US SR54

The U.S. built the Panama Canal from 1904-1914 at a cost of $375,000,000 and 10,000 lives; approximately 72% of vessels transiting the canal travel to or from U.S. ports

China-affiliated companies have gained significant presence at the canal, including a $900,000,000 agreement for Landbridge Group to control Margarita Island port (2016) and a $1,400,000,000 contract for Chinese firms to build the fourth bridge (2018)

CK Hutchison Holdings, based in Hong Kong, currently manages two of the canal's five ports, including Balboa (Pacific) and Cristobal (Atlantic)

The resolution assesses that Chinese-backed investment in Panama Canal infrastructure constitutes a violation of the 1977 Neutrality Treaty, which reserved U.S. rights to defend the canal's permanent neutrality

The Senate urges the Trump administration to ensure the canal remains neutral and to take all appropriate measures to enforce the Neutrality Treaty