US Secretary of State Marco Rubio has warned Panama to reduce China's influence in the Panama Canal zone or face retaliation from the US.
AP reported that US Secretary of State Marco Rubio arrived in Panama on February 2, one of many destinations in the Americas on his first trip since taking office. During the trip, he visited the Panama Canal and had direct talks with President Jose Raul Mulino.
Panamanian President Jose Raul Mulino and US Secretary of State Marco Rubio in Panama City on February 2.
According to Secretary of State Rubio, US President Donald Trump believes that China's presence in the Panama Canal area could violate the treaty the US signed to transfer full control to Panama in 1999.
The treaty requires permanent neutrality in the US-built canal. "Secretary Rubio made clear that this status quo is unacceptable and that without immediate changes, the United States will have to take the necessary steps to protect its treaty rights," the State Department said in a summary of Rubio's meeting with President Mulino.
Panama's leader told reporters after the meeting that Mr Rubio "did not actually threaten to retake the canal or use force". "Sovereignty over the canal is not in dispute," Mr Mulino said.
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio visits the Panama Canal on February 2.
The US Secretary of State's statement is considered quite diplomatically frank but consistent with the foreign policy that President Trump has set out.
Meanwhile, President Mulino called his talks with Secretary Rubio "respectful" and "positive" and said he did not "feel any real threat to the treaty and its validity." Mulino said Panama would not renew the agreement related to China's Belt and Road Initiative when it expires. He also proposed holding a technical dialogue with the US side to address concerns.
Earlier, President Mulino ordered an inspection of the Hong Kong-based Hutchison Ports, which operates ports at both ends of the Panama Canal. According to AP, some opinions suggested that Panama could make a concession by not renewing Hutchison Ports’s operation of those ports and transferring them to an American or European company. However, it is unclear whether Mr. Trump will accept this proposal or not.
Source: https://thanhnien.vn/my-ra-toi-hau-thu-ve-kenh-dao-panama-18525020308144495.htm
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