Panama President José Raúl Mulino vowed Sunday to end a key development deal with China after meeting with Secretary of State Marco Rubio, amid complaints from President Donald Trump that the Latin American country has ceded control over its critical shipping canal to Beijing.
Mulino said his nation’s sovereignty over the 51-mile waterway will remain unchanged but announced plans to look for more US investment and cooperation instead. He made this commitment during his first international trip since being confirmed as Secretary of State.
Rubio expressed determination to push the US agenda, stating that the US cannot allow China’s growing control over the Panama Canal area. Trump has complained about China’s influence on the canal and charges US ships high premiums to cross Panama’s isthmus.
Source: https://www.foxnews.com/world/panama-pledges-end-key-canal-deal-china-work-us-after-rubio-visit