U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio declared that Chinese influence near the Panama Canal is “unacceptable” and warned that the United States would take action if no changes are made, according to the Associated Press and Axios.
During a meeting yesterday with Panama’s President José Raúl Mulino, Rubio presented an ultimatum, stating that if “immediate action” is not taken to remove Chinese influence over the canal, the U.S. will “take measures necessary to protect its rights” under the Torrijos–Carter Treaties.
The U.S. is growing increasingly concerned about China’s presence near key strategic infrastructure, seeing it as a potential threat to both regional stability and U.S. national security.
