During a meeting in Panama, Secretary of State Marco Rubio expressed President Donald Trump’s concern about Chinese influence over the Panama Canal to Panamanian President José Raúl Mulino. Trump had previously mentioned the possibility of using military force to control the canal during his second term. Mulino denied Chinese control over the canal, which is currently governed by the Panama Canal Authority. The U.S. used to own and operate the canal but transferred control to Panama by 1999. A treaty allows the U.S. to intervene if there is a threat to the canal’s neutrality.
Rubio emphasized Trump’s concerns about Chinese influence on the canal and the violation of the treaty during the meeting with Mulino. After the meeting, Mulino announced that Panama is considering ending its involvement in China’s Silk Road Initiative early, with no plans to renew the agreement in the future. National Security Advisor Mike Waltz praised this as a step in the right direction.
The meeting also covered other issues, including the migration crisis, climate investment, and support for a free and democratic Venezuela. Rubio’s meeting with Mulino underscores the growing concerns about Chinese influence in the region and the efforts to address this issue through diplomatic channels.
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