Protection Secretary Pete Hegseth is slated to fulfill with Panama leaders subsequent week amid President Donald Trump’s continued efforts to regain management of the important thing strategic and navy useful resource.
The Trump administration has been outspoken about nationwide safety threats offered by alleged Chinese language interference.
Throughout a February go to to the nation, Secretary of State Marco Rubio wrote in an X publish that “the US can’t, and won’t, enable the Chinese language Communist Celebration to proceed with its efficient and rising management over the Panama Canal space.”
Chief Pentagon spokesman Sean Parnell confirmed on Friday the secretary of protection will attend the 2025 Central American Safety Convention, collaborating in discussions that can “drive ongoing efforts to strengthen the U.S.’s partnerships with Panama and different Central American nations,” in line with a report from the Related Press.
A cargo boat navigates on the Panama Canal subsequent to the growth undertaking of the Panama Canal on the Pacific aspect in Panama Metropolis, November 17, 2015. (Reuters)
PANAMA DENIES STATE DEPT CLAIM THAT IT IS ELIMINATING FEES FOR US GOV VESSELS USING CANAL
The president, who has criticized the six-figure premiums imposed on U.S. ships touring alongside the important waterway, beforehand recommended repurchasing the canal.
It was constructed by the U.S. over the span of a number of a long time, however was ultimately handed over to Panama throughout the Carter administration.
The “Panama Canal Repurchase Act,” a invoice that was not too long ago launched in Congress, would give Trump the authority to barter with acceptable Panamanian authorities officers to reacquire the Panama Canal.
U.S. Protection Secretary Pete Hegseth attends a NATO Defence Ministers assembly on the Alliance’s headquarters in Brussels, Belgium on Feb. 13, 2025. (Reuters/Yves Herman)
CHINA, HONG KONG THREATEN TO THWART SALE OF PANAMA CANAL PORTS TO AMERICA’S BLACKROCK
Panama President José Raúl Mulino beforehand stated China doesn’t have affect over the canal and accused Trump of “mendacity” about probably buying it, in line with the AP.
BlackRock, Inc. later introduced a $23 billion cope with Hong Kong-based CK Hutchinson to take possession of the Panamanian ports of Cristobal and Balboa, together with 43 ports in 23 different nations, Fox Information Digital beforehand reported.
Two cargo ships enter the Miraflores Locks of the Panama Canal in Panama Metropolis on Jan. 22. (Martin Bernetti/AFP through Getty Photos)
The canal may very well be used as leverage for China in U.S. tariff negotiations.
CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP
Hegseth will even go to Eglin Air Drive Base in Florida to fulfill with navy members and management on the seventh Particular Forces Group, in line with the AP.
Fox Information’ Morgan Phillips contributed to this report.
