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The President of Panama added that he does not see a real threat from the United States.
Panama agreed to ensure unhindered passage of American warships through the Panama Canal, over which the United States did not rule out the possibility of its control, and announced its intention to withdraw from China's "One Belt, One Road" initiative.
This decision was made after a visit to the country by US Secretary of State Marco Rubio, who criticized the Panamanian government for cooperating with China, Bloomberg reports.
During a meeting with Panamanian President Jose Raul Mulino Rubio echoed the concerns of the Donald Trump administration about China's influence over the strategically important waterway. The US State Department said that if Panama does not take immediate action, the United States reserves the right to defend its interests in the region.
For his part, Mulino said that his country would not give up control of the canal, but was ready to make some concessions. On Sunday evening, the Panama Canal Authority announced that it would “optimize transit priority” for US Navy ships. An American official confirmed that Mulino personally assured Rubio of the free passage of military vessels.
One of the important decisions of the Panamanian authorities was the announcement of the termination of the country's participation in the Chinese initiative "One Belt, One Road". Panama became the first Latin American country to make such a decision. Mulino emphasized that his government will still evaluate the feasibility of a final withdrawal from the agreement before 2026, when its current term ends.
US National Security Adviser Mike Waltz welcomed Panama's decision, calling it "a step in the right direction." However, he stressed that it does not completely eliminate concerns about China's growing influence in the region.
During a press conference after meeting with Rubio, the Panamanian president called the talks “respectful and constructive.” He also assured that he saw no real threat to the canal management agreement, let alone military intervention from the United States.
President Donald Trump, commenting on the situation, stated that American interests in the Panama Canal do not require military support. At the same time, he expressed concern about the growing influence of China and stated: “China controls the Panama Canal. We are going to take it back, or something very powerful is going to happen.”
Panama has previously denied Trump’s claims that China controls the canal, but Beijing has indeed increased its presence in the region. In 2017, Panama’s previous government severed diplomatic relations with Taiwan, recognizing Beijing’s “one China” policy. That same year, Panama joined the Belt and Road Initiative, signing a three-year transitional agreement. If the agreement is not terminated by Panama or China by 2026, it will automatically be extended.
China's Foreign Ministry said it respects Panama's sovereignty over the canal and recognizes it as a neutral international waterway. However, Chinese authorities have not commented on Panama's decision to withdraw from the Belt and Road Initiative.
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