U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio Urges Panama to Limit Chinese Influence Over Canal

U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio has warned Panama’s President José Raul Mulino that the growing Chinese presence around the Panama Canal poses a threat to U.S. interests and security. Rubio’s comments come after Panama, under significant U.S. pressure, pledged to end a key agreement with China that had sparked concerns over Beijing’s expanding influence in the region.
In an official statement, Rubio stressed the importance of Panama maintaining the neutrality of the Panama Canal, a vital waterway for international trade, and warned that if the country did not act to reduce Chinese influence, the U.S. would take appropriate measures to protect its rights under the Panama Canal Treaty. This agreement, signed in 1977, ensures that the canal remains open to all nations and that it is controlled by Panama while maintaining neutrality in times of conflict.
U.S. National Security Adviser Mike Waltz supported Rubio’s stance, calling the recent move by Panama a positive step but urging continued vigilance over the canal’s neutrality.
Rubio, during his confirmation hearing in January 2024, emphasized the significance of Panama’s contract with China, which he argued allowed Beijing to encroach on Panama’s sovereignty, potentially violating the long-standing neutrality agreement between Panama and the U.S. He further noted that China’s growing presence in strategic areas such as the canal could undermine U.S. interests and security in the region.
As Panama moves to scale back its ties with China regarding the canal, it remains to be seen what measures the U.S. will take to ensure the protection of its interests in the region. The situation underscores the ongoing geopolitical tensions and the strategic importance of the Panama Canal in global trade and diplomacy.