Secretary of Protection Pete Hegseth on Tuesday stated the U.S. will take again the Panama Canal from “China’s affect” as Washington tries to reassert management over the most important commerce route.
“The USA of America won’t permit communist China or another nation to threaten the canal’s operation or integrity,” he stated throughout a press occasion from the Central American nation. “To this finish, america and Panama have finished extra in current weeks to strengthen our protection and safety cooperation than we now have in many years.
“Collectively we are going to take again the Panama Canal from China’s affect,” he added.
Panama Safety Minister Frank Abrego hosts Secretary of Protection Pete Hegseth on the Presidential Palace in Panama Metropolis, Panama on April 8, 2025. (Daniel A. Gonzalez/Anadolu by way of Getty Photographs)
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Panama has repeatedly rejected the Trump administration’s claims that China successfully controls the canal because it operates two main ports on both finish of the waterway.
Nevertheless, the Central American nation withdrew from its 2017 Belt and Highway Initiative agreements with Beijing earlier this yr in a sign that Panama has chosen to aspect with the Trump administration on this geopolitical spat.
Hegseth laid out a litany of joint workout routines, operations and the final presence of the U.S. navy in and across the canal in a transfer to counter China, although Fox Information Digital couldn’t instantly attain the Pentagon to substantiate whether or not this signified a rise in U.S. presence within the area.
A demonstrator shouts slogans subsequent to riot police throughout a protest in opposition to the go to of Secretary of Protection Pete Hegseth in Panama Metropolis, on April 8, 2025. (Martin Bernetti/AFP by way of Getty Photographs)
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“Our relationship with Panama, particularly our safety relationship, will proceed to develop within the months and years forward,” Hegseth stated. “Our relationship is rising partly to fulfill communist China’s rising challenges.”
The protection secretary stated China-based firms proceed to put in “important infrastructure” within the canal, which supplies China the “potential” capability to “conduct surveillance.”
Two cargo ships sail on Gatun Lake close to the Agua Clara Locks of the Panama Canal in Colon Metropolis, Panama, on Dec. 28, 2024. (Arnulfo Franco/AFP by way of Getty Photographs)
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“This makes Panama and america much less safe, much less affluent, much less sovereign,” he added.
“I wish to be very clear. China didn’t construct this canal. China doesn’t function this canal, and China won’t weaponize this canal,” Hegseth stated.
The Chinese language embassy in D.C. didn’t instantly reply to Fox Information Digital’s request for remark.
