Marco Rubio, the new U.S. diplomat, is heading to Panama for his inaugural foreign trip, with immigration and concerns over U.S.-China relations expected to dominate discussions. President Trump's remarks claiming that control of the Panama Canal has shifted to China have drawn significant backlash from Panamanian leaders and Beijing. Although Panama gained full control of the canal in 1999, the U.S. retains military rights to ensure its neutrality. China's growing economic involvement post-diplomatic ties with Panama raises alarms about influence over this critical trade route.
We didn't give [the Panama Canal] to China, we gave it to Panama, and we're taking it back, said Trump in his second inaugural address.
An argument could be made that the terms under which that canal was turned over have been violated, Rubio told the Senate Foreign Relations Committee.
Panamanian authorities have repeatedly stated that there is no Chinese management of the canal.
China has significantly expanded its presence around the canal in recent years, especially since Panama established diplomatic ties with Beijing.
Collection
[
|
...
]