The Pentagon says that we will help Panama withdraw the canal with Chinese effects

US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth pledged on Tuesday that the United States would work with Panama to reduce China’s influence Panama CanalHis comment came during a rare visit to the country as he stood at an American funded ghat in Panama City.
“Together, we will withdraw the Panama Canal under the influence of China,” Hegseth told the Reuters of the news agency. “China did not build this canal. China does not operate this canal and China will not make this canal weapon. Together with Panama, we will protect the canal and be available to all countries.”
Hegseth is the first US Defense Secretary to visit Panama in decades. The region leads to his journey amidst increasing American concerns about Chinese commercial projects, including plans by Chinese companies to build a bridge over the canal. More than 40% of the American container traffic – Salana around $ 270 billion annually – through the canal, which is important for global trade and potential American military operations.
While Hegseth insisted on partnership with Panama, former President Donald Trump has moved forward, even suggested military force to “retrieve” the canal. Trump incorrectly claimed that China operates the canal and has soldiers present – Alet Hegseth rejected himself.
The former US ambassador to Panama John File also criticized Trump’s approach, saying, “Trump’s way it is not valid about it is not valid, it is a bullying strategy that he is used, claimed that the neutral treaty has been violated. It has not come there.”
President Jose Raul Mulino, who met privately with Hagaseth, has been associated with the US on several fronts. In February, he pulled Panama out of China Belt and road initiative And has supported American immigration enforcement by accepting exile flights and working to reduce migratory flows through the Darren Jungle.
Mulino said, “Panama is, and will remain Panamanian,” Mulino said, defending the leadership of their country of the canal.
A military veteran and former Fox News Host Hegseth praised Mulino’s stance, calling him a partner, “understood the danger from China.” His visit follows an American -led deal in which Blackrock acquired major port operations from Hong Kong’s CK Hachisan, seeing Trump as an attempt to “recreate” the canal.
Analysts say that Panama’s cooperation is important. “Overall, it has not been a winning issue for the United States in the matter of public diplomacy in Panama,” said Ryan Berg of Center for Strategic and International Studies. But with Mulino in the office, Washington may have found a colleague.