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A container ship transits the Panama Canal in Panama City. Photo: Getty Images/TNS

Panama lawsuit seeks to cancel Hong Kong company’s canal contract

Lawyers accuse a subsidiary of CK Hutchison Holdings of violating the constitution and evading taxes.

4 Feb 2025 - 5:48PMvideocam

Americas and the Caribbean

American prisoners could soon be bound for El Salvador’s jails

4 Feb 2025 - 2:35PM

US-China relations

China’s ambassador to Panama slams US for ‘tropical storm’ with Rubio visit

4 Feb 2025 - 6:30AMvideocam

Threatened US tariffs on Canada, Mexico paused as talks with China loom

Mexican president agrees to send 10,000 troops to border to stop drugs and US commits to halt trafficking of weapons to Mexico.

4 Feb 2025 - 4:35PMvideocam

Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum said on Monday that after she spoke with US President Donald Trump, US tariffs are on hold for a month. Photo: EPA-EFE

SCMP Highlights

Trump’s tariffs, US tech giants embrace China’s DeepSeek: 5 weekend reads

From Trump’s tariffs on China, Canada and Mexico to TikTok’s new lease on life in the US, here are five stories you may have missed over the weekend.

3 Feb 2025 - 12:00PM

Canada to file WTO claim against Trump tariffs

Ottawa also unveiled a list of 1,256 American goods it plans to target on Tuesday in first round of counter tariffs worth billions.

3 Feb 2025 - 2:05PM

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US ends deportation protections for thousands of Venezuelans: report

The move affects more than 300,000 Venezuelans with temporary protected status living in US and could take effect within 2 months.

3 Feb 2025 - 8:43AM

A group of migrants from Venezuela chat to coordinate their transport after entering the United States from Ciudad Juarez, Mexico through the Paso del Norte bridge in El Paso, Texas on January 20. Photo: AP

Americas and the Caribbean

Rubio tells Panama that China threatens canal, changes needed

Trump made a preliminary determination that ‘control of the Chinese Communist Party’ over canal is a threat, the US state department said.

4 Feb 2025 - 9:18AMvideocam

Americas and the Caribbean

Mexico hits back at Trump’s tariffs with tariffs of its own

Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum also rejected US allegations about alliances between her government and organised crime as ‘slander’.

2 Feb 2025 - 11:30AM

Venezuela frees 6 Americans after Trump envoy’s meeting with Maduro

It is unclear how many Americans were being held by Venezuela, but Venezuelan officials have mentioned at least nine.

1 Feb 2025 - 1:42PM

An X post by Richard Grenell, US President Donald Trump’s envoy, shows him (third from right) posing alongside six US citizens released from detention in Venezuela. Photo: AFP

US-China relations

Eyeing China, Rubio makes Central America his first trip as top US diplomat

Countering Beijing and ‘deepening economic partnerships’ to boost regional prosperity said to be on agenda in tour that starts in Panama.

1 Feb 2025 - 5:36AMvideocam

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio is a long-time China hawk who has a history of engaging leaders in Latin America. Photo: Reuters

China's economic recovery

How a bumper fruit harvest helped China gain ‘cherry freedom’

Cherries were once considered a luxury item in China, but a flood of cheap Chilean imports has tanked prices ahead of the Lunar New Year holiday.

1 Feb 2025 - 8:44AM

Mexico says Google was wrong to accept Trump’s ‘Gulf of America’ name change

President Claudia Sheinbaum’s letter also asks for Google’s search platform to prominently display the map of ‘Mexican America’.

31 Jan 2025 - 2:17AM

Panama says won’t negotiate with US over canal, ahead of Rubio visit

Trump claims that China is effectively ‘operating’ the vital waterway and has threatened to ‘take it back’.

31 Jan 2025 - 1:53AMvideocam

A cargo ship transits through the Panama Canal’s Agua Clara locks on Gatun Lake on Wednesday. Photo: AFP

China carmakers merit dumping probe and tariffs: Brazil auto industry group

BYD and Great Wall Motors among mainland brands alleged to sell below cost to undermine competitors from US, Europe, Japan and South Korea.

30 Jan 2025 - 7:10AMvideocam

An SUV by Great Wall Motors rolls off a production line in Chongqing. The Chinese carmaker has drawn criticism from Brazil’s National Association of Automotive Vehicle Manufacturers. Photo: AFP

Americas and the Caribbean

Explainer | Why does Trump want the Panama Canal?

Most cargo passing through the canal originates from or is destined for the US, which completed construction of it in the early 20th century.

29 Jan 2025 - 3:41PM

US-China relations

US senators examine China’s influence over Panama Canal

Treaty allows for canal’s takeover, witnesses tell Senate panel, but they provide no evidence Chinese port operations breach neutrality.

29 Jan 2025 - 7:24AMvideocam

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Americas and the Caribbean

Colombia’s ‘webcam models’ slam abuse in online sex industry

They say studio owners in Colombia often prey on women from poor backgrounds, single mothers and the less educated.

28 Jan 2025 - 5:36PM

Webcam model Tania Rios has had many bad experiences that she preferred not to recount. Photo: AFP

Chinese envoy to Colombia touts bilateral ties as Bogotá and Washington clash

As US President Donald Trump and Colombian President Gustavo Petro spar over deportations, Beijing’s ambassador underscores good relations.

28 Jan 2025 - 7:08AM

Trump holds off on Colombia tariff, sanctions threat after deportations deal

Colombia backed down and agreed to the ‘unrestricted acceptance of all illegal aliens’, hours after Trump threat.

27 Jan 2025 - 3:21PM

Americas and the Caribbean

Havana luxury hotel ‘unforgivable’ amid Cuba’s economic woes

The Selection La Habana hotel, managed by Spanish chain Iberostar, has yet to be inaugurated but it is already the target of criticism.

25 Jan 2025 - 9:33PM

The new Selection La Habana hotel, in Havana, Cuba, on Friday. Photo: AP

Donald Trump’s 2025 inauguration

Trump goes light on China on Day 1, except where Panama Canal is concerned

In his inaugural address, the US president also discusses tariffs generally but does not specifically target Beijing.

21 Jan 2025 - 11:48AM

A cargo ship and tugboat sail through the Cocoli Locks at the Panama Canal. US President Donald Trump pledged during his inaugural speech on Monday that the United States would be “taking back” the canal. Photo: AFP

At least 80 killed, thousands displaced in Colombia guerilla violence

Civilians caught in the crossfire as ELN guerillas target former members of a separate rebel group in the bloodiest violence in recent years.

20 Jan 2025 - 2:20PM

Americas and the Caribbean

Arrest ordered for Bolivian ex-president Morales on human-trafficking charges

The former leader, who is accused of having a child with a minor, says the allegations are meant to torpedo his bid for a political comeback.

18 Jan 2025 - 9:03AM

Extreme weather

At least 10 dead in Brazil landslides caused by torrential rain

At least 80mm of rain fell in the space of one hour in the city of Ipatinga, where nine died.

13 Jan 2025 - 10:18AM

A landslide in Ipatinga, Minas Gerais state, Brazil. Photo: AFP

Open Questions series

US-China rivalry doesn’t have to be a zero-sum game: Jessica Chen Weiss

3 Feb 2025 - 1:20PMvideocam

Illustration: Victor Sanjinez

China’s rise, potential recession, no WWIII yet: 11 key interviews from 2024

23 Dec 2024 - 2:30PM

Illustration: Victor Sanjinez

Why eco-warrior Ma Jun sees hope for China’s role in Cop29 amid US uncertainty

22 Nov 2024 - 12:38PMvideocam

Illustration: Lau Ka-kuen

Historian on why we aren’t heading towards WWIII yet and how wars have changed

8 Nov 2024 - 12:01AMvideocam

Illustration: Lau Ka-kuen

China’s evolving role in Middle East conflicts, according to an academic

29 Aug 2024 - 10:09AMvideocam

Illustration: Victor Sanjinez

This economist says China’s property oversupply is far from over. Here’s why

6 Aug 2024 - 9:19AMvideocam

Illustration: Victor Sanjinez Garcia

US-China rivalry doesn’t have to be a zero-sum game: Jessica Chen Weiss

3 Feb 2025 - 1:20PMvideocam

Illustration: Victor Sanjinez

China’s rise, potential recession, no WWIII yet: 11 key interviews from 2024

23 Dec 2024 - 2:30PM

Illustration: Victor Sanjinez

Why eco-warrior Ma Jun sees hope for China’s role in Cop29 amid US uncertainty

22 Nov 2024 - 12:38PMvideocam

Illustration: Lau Ka-kuen

Historian on why we aren’t heading towards WWIII yet and how wars have changed

8 Nov 2024 - 12:01AMvideocam

Illustration: Lau Ka-kuen

China’s evolving role in Middle East conflicts, according to an academic

29 Aug 2024 - 10:09AMvideocam

Illustration: Victor Sanjinez

This economist says China’s property oversupply is far from over. Here’s why

6 Aug 2024 - 9:19AMvideocam

Illustration: Victor Sanjinez Garcia

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