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From Fox News: Panama’s president vowed Sunday to end a key development deal with China after meeting with Secretary of State Marco Rubio and after complaints from President Donald Trump that the Latin American country had ceded control over its critical shipping canal to Beijing.
José Raúl Mulino, Panama’s president, said his nation’s sovereignty over the 51-mile waterway, which connects the Pacific Ocean and the Caribbean Sea, will remain unchanged. But he said he would not renew a 2017 memorandum of understanding to join China’s Belt and Road global development initiative and that Panama would instead look to work more closely with the U.S.
“I think this visit opens the door to build new relations … and try to increase as much as possible U.S. investments in Panama,” Mulino told reporters after meeting with Rubio on his first international trip since being confirmed.
Rubio, who was a senator representing Florida before Trump tapped him to be America’s top diplomat, said his team is ready to push the U.S. agenda.
Rubio announced on X, “Had the pleasure of meeting the incredible @USEmbPAN team during my first embassy meet and greet in my new role as Secretary of State! Thankful for their dedication and ongoing efforts to promoting President Trump’s vision of an America First foreign policy.”
Had the pleasure of meeting the incredible @USEmbPAN team during my first embassy meet and greet in my new role as Secretary of State! Thankful for their dedication and ongoing efforts to promoting President Trump’s vision of an America First foreign policy. pic.twitter.com/j4tPBDCDoF
— Secretary Marco Rubio (@SecRubio) February 2, 2025
“I met with Panamanian President @JoseRaulMulino and Foreign Minister @javierachapma to make clear that the United States cannot, and will not, allow the Chinese Communist Party to continue with its effective and growing control over the Panama Canal area. We also discussed efforts to end the hemisphere’s mass migration crisis and ensure fair competition for U.S. firms,” Rubio wrote.
I met with Panamanian President @JoseRaulMulino and Foreign Minister @javierachapma to make clear that the United States cannot, and will not, allow the Chinese Communist Party to continue with its effective and growing control over the Panama Canal area. We also discussed… pic.twitter.com/Hj0pXGahqk
— Secretary Marco Rubio (@SecRubio) February 2, 2025
“The Panama Canal is vital to America’s national and economic security interests. We must remain vigilant in protecting this vital asset from the Chinese Communist Party,” Rubio added.
The Panama Canal is vital to America’s national and economic security interests.
We must remain vigilant in protecting this vital asset from the Chinese Communist Party. pic.twitter.com/t06JBNzb66
— Secretary Marco Rubio (@SecRubio) February 3, 2025
Meanwhile, President Trump spoke to reporters when he returned to D.C. Sunday night, and repeated his belief that the U.S. needs to take back the Panama Canal.
“China’s running the Panama Canal,” Trump said, adding, “It was not given to China… But they violated the agreement and we’re gonna take it back or something very powerful is going to happen.”
President Trump on the Panama Canal: “They’ve violated the agreement — and we’re going to take it back or something very powerful is going to happen.” pic.twitter.com/saSGLrEus5
— Rapid Response 47 (@RapidResponse47) February 3, 2025
Panama pledges to end key canal deal with China, work with US after Rubio visit https://t.co/JU0U2yHkVQ
— Fox News (@FoxNews) February 3, 2025
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