The president of Panama said he would not renew a development deal with China after a visit with Secretary of State Marco Rubio, where the top US diplomat expressed concern that the nation had given too much control over its canal to Beijing.
Rubio explained President Trump’s position that Chinese influence over the canal is not only a threat to the waterway but is also “a violation of the Treaty Concerning the Permanent Neutrality and Operation of the Panama Canal,” the State Department said. Absent changes, the U.S. would “take measures necessary to protect its rights under the Treaty,” the statement added.
I met with Panamanian President @JoseRaulMulino and Foreign Minister @javierachapma to make clear that the United States cannot, and will not, allow the Chinese Communist Party to continue with its effective and growing control over the Panama Canal area. We also discussed… pic.twitter.com/Hj0pXGahqk
— Secretary Marco Rubio (@SecRubio) February 2, 2025
While President José Raúl Mulino emphasized Panama's sovereignty over the canal, he said the nation would withdraw from China’s Belt and Road Initiative.
“One important thing, which is a decision I made and communicated to him, is that the 2017 memorandum of understanding on the Silk Road, part of the Belt and Road Initiative, will not be renewed by my government,” Mulino said. “That is a fact.”
“We are going to study the possibility of whether it can be ended earlier or not,” he continued. “I think it is up for renewal in one or two years, because it’s every three. So that initiative which was signed will not be renewed by my government."
The President of Panama, José Raúl Mulino, vows NOT to renew the 2017 Chinese contracts on the Panama Canal that are part of the CCP’s Belt and Road Initiative. The contracts come up in one or two years, but could be even sooner.
— Charlie Kirk (@charliekirk11) February 2, 2025
A good strart!!
pic.twitter.com/rYuRlsLUl2
BREAKING NEWS: During Sec. Rubio's visit, Panama's President announces he will NOT renew it's “memorandum of understanding” with Communist China
— Breaking911 (@Breaking911) February 2, 2025
Massive W! pic.twitter.com/a34VCbeo3p
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