House Homeland Security subcommittee warns of security risks from Chinese investments in Western Hemisphere ports

At a House Homeland Security Subcommittee on Transportation and Maritime Security hearing, members and witnesses described Chinese state-linked firms’ expanding role in port infrastructure across the Western Hemisphere as a potential threat to U.S. homeland security, citing surveillance, cyber vulnerabilities and the Panama Canal’s strategic importance.

Witnesses and lawmakers said the risks included the potential for intelligence collection through equipment and software at ports, disruption or denial of access in a crisis, and facilitation of illicit flows such as precursor chemicals used to make fentanyl. They urged expanded U.S. investment, stricter cybersecurity and screening, and multilateral commercial diplomacy to offer alternatives to Chinese financing.

The hearing opened with Chairman Jimenez saying the session would examine “The People’s Republic Of China’s strategic investments in ports across the Western Hemisphere, including The United States and near the Panama Canal and their broader implications for homeland security.” He warned that Panama and other regional ports give Beijing strategic positions and said, “We do we don't need an audit. We need action.”

Dr. Isaac Carden, senior fellow for China studies at the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace, told the subcommittee Chinese companies have stakes in terminals in the hemisphere and noted a pattern of joint ventures and…