US defense secretary Hegseth, Peter pledged on Tuesday that the United States would work with Panama to reduce China’s influence over the Panama Canal. His remarks came during a rare visit to the country as he stood at a US-funded pier in Panama City.
Hegseth told Reuters that” Up, we will take up the Panama Canal from China’s influence.” China did no construct this river, according to the statement. China does not own this river, and it will not use any weapons along it. We may keep the river safe and accessible for all countries, with Panama as the leader.
Hegseth is the first defence minister of the United States to travel to Panama in a long time. His travel comes as a result of growing British concerns about Foreign industrial jobs in the area, including those involving Taiwanese companies ‘ plans to construct a bridge over the river. The river, which is crucial for global business and potential US military operations, handles more than 40 % of US box traffic, which is worth about$ 270 billion annually.
Hegseth emphasized collaboration with Panama, but former US president Donald Trump has gone more, actually suggesting using military force to “reclaim” the river. Trump has fabricated allegations that Hegseth himself refuted that China runs the river and has men present.
John Feeley, the former US ambassador to Panama, also criticized Trump’s method, saying,” The abuse strategy he’s used, which is claiming there has been a contravention of the independence agreement, is what’s not genuine about the way Trump has gone about this. There hasn’t been, exactly.
Jose Raul Mulino, the senator who met personally with Hegseth, has been working with the US on various sides. He backed US immigration protection by allowing imprisonment planes and reducing migratory travels through the Darien woods and pulled Panama out of China’s Belt and Road Initiative in February.
Mulino defended his government’s leadership of the river, saying that Panama is and will continue to be so.
Hegseth, a veteran of the military and past Fox News host, praised Mulino’s position and said he “understood the danger from China.” His visit comes after BlackRock and US-led offer to acquire significant interface assets from Hong Kong’s CK Hutchison, which Trump hailed as an endeavor to “reclaim” the river.
Panama’s participation is a must, according to experts. According to Ryan Berg of the Center for Strategic and International Studies, “on the whole, this hasn’t been a successful problem for the United States in terms of people politics in Panama.” However, Washington might have found a alliance with Mulino in power.
