Following a visit from Sec. of State Marco Rubio, Panama’s president José Raúl Mulino 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.
Panama also offered free passage to U.S. Navy vessels traveling through the Panama Canal — a move that will save the United States between $2.5 million and $3 million a year, The Daily Wire reports.
“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.
“Had the pleasure of meeting the incredible @USEmbPAN team during my first embassy meet and greet in my new role as Secretary of State!” Rubio wrote in a post on X. “Thankful for their dedication and ongoing efforts to promoting President Trump’s vision of an America First foreign policy.”
During his visit, Rubio wrote in a post on X 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.”
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
Watch a clip of Mulino below:
The President of Panama, José Raúl Mulino, vows NOT to renew the 2017 Chinese contracts on the Panama Canal that are part of the CCP’s Belt and Road Initiative. The contracts come up in one or two years, but could be even sooner.
A good strart!!
pic.twitter.com/rYuRlsLUl2— Charlie Kirk (@charliekirk11) February 2, 2025
Trump has prioritized regaining U.S. ownership of the Panama Canal. House Republicans introduced the Panama Canal Repurchase Act after Trump expressed concerns about Chinese influence over the critical waterway. The bill, led by Rep. Dusty Johnson (R-S.D.), a member of the Select Committee on China and the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, aims to repurchase the canal.
“President Trump is right to consider repurchasing the Panama Canal,” Johnson said in a statement. “China’s interest in and presence around the canal is a cause for concern. America must project strength abroad – owning and operating the Panama Canal might be an important step towards a stronger America and a more secure globe.”
The U.S. Department of State estimates around 72% of all vessels that travel through the Panama Canal are coming from or going to a U.S. port.
More over at Fox News:
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