Rubio Warns Panama to End China's Canal Influence or Face US Action

Post by : Omar Nasser

Photo : Reuters

Marco Rubio, the U.S. Secretary of State, met with Panama's President, Jose Raul Mulino, on Sunday in Panama City. During their meeting, Rubio gave Mulino a message from President Donald Trump. Rubio said that if Panama doesn't stop China's influence over the Panama Canal, the U.S. will take action to protect its rights according to an agreement with Panama.

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After their talks, Mulino said he would review agreements with Chinese businesses, especially a contract with a Hong Kong company called CK Hutchison Holdings, which operates two ports near the canal. Mulino also said Panama would work more closely with the U.S. on immigration but made it clear that Panama's control over the canal was not up for discussion.

Rubio explained that China’s involvement in the ports is a problem because it could hurt the canal’s safety and violate the treaty between the U.S. and Panama. Rubio made it clear that the U.S. could take action if Panama didn’t change the situation soon.

Rubio didn’t say exactly what Panama should do or what the U.S. might do in return. However, Trump has previously suggested the U.S. could take back control of the Panama Canal, which the U.S. built and gave to Panama in 1999. Trump said Panama had allowed China to take control of the canal, which was wrong.

Trump had also mentioned using military force, though he later said he didn’t think that would be needed. He said Panama violated the agreement, and the U.S. would take back control of the canal. He also said, “China’s running the Panama Canal,” even though Panama was supposed to be in control.

Rubio, who often speaks against China, also warned that China could block the canal in the future, which is important for U.S. shipping, especially if there was a conflict between the U.S. and China.

Mulino said the talks were respectful, and he was open to reviewing the agreements with Chinese companies, including the one with CK Hutchison. However, Mulino was clear that Panama’s control over the canal would not change. He also said Panama would consider ending its agreement with China as part of the Belt and Road Initiative, a plan by China to increase investments in other countries.

Some experts and Panama’s government believe that the U.S. is overreacting. They say the ports are not part of the canal’s operation, which is managed by the Panama Canal Authority, a group controlled by Panama’s government.

Mulino said that Panama would think about ending the agreement with China early. However, he rejected the idea that the treaty between Panama and the U.S. was in danger or that the U.S. needed to use military force. He said it was important to keep talking, especially with President Trump.

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