Trump clashes with Panama over China's canal control
President Donald Trump has expressed a strong desire to regain control over the Panama Canal. "We're going to take it back or something very powerful is going to happen," he declared in a conversation with reporters.
Secretary of State Rubio is currently in Panama for discussions regarding the Panama Canal, President Donald Trump told reporters shortly after stepping off Air Force One at Andrews Base. He criticized the situation, stating that the agreement had been violated and emphasizing that, although the canal was transferred to Panama, it is now under China’s management. Trump asserted that such a breach could not be allowed and warned that the U.S. would reclaim control or take decisive action.
As a reminder, U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio visited Panama on Sunday, where he met with Panama's President, Raul Mulino.
In a statement issued after the discussions, the State Department reported that Secretary Rubio had informed President Mulino and Minister of Foreign Affairs Martinez-Acha of President Trump’s preliminary determination. He concluded that the Chinese Communist Party’s current influence and control over the Panama Canal area threatened the canal and violated the treaty ensuring its permanent neutrality and operation.
Rubio stated that this situation is "unacceptable" and warned that "absent immediate changes, it would require the United States to take measures necessary to protect its rights under the treaty."
However, the head of U.S. diplomacy expressed gratitude for the "constructive" conversations and Panama's efforts to reduce migration through the Darien Gap, a key part of the migratory route to North America.
A firm response from Mulino
President of Panama Raul Mulino announced at a press conference following the meeting that he might prematurely end the agreement with China regarding its participation in the Chinese Belt and Road infrastructure project, which Panama joined in 2018 under former President Juan Carlos Varela.
Mulino also stated that the Panamanian authorities are conducting an audit of the Panama Ports Company, a company associated with China that operates two ports around the canal. "We have to wait until that audit ends before we can reach our legal conclusions and act accordingly," Mulino said.
At the same time, he ruled out the possibility of returning the canal to U.S. control, stating that Panamanian sovereignty over the passage "is not up for debate."
The President of Panama also stated that he does not believe, despite President Donald Trump's threats, there is a real risk of the use of military force by the United States to retake the canal.
