Secretary of State Marco Rubio expressed on Thursday his firm belief that China has a contingency plan to shut down the Panama Canal in a conflict with the U.S., emphasizing Washington's intent to address this perceived national security threat.
Prior to his first visit to Central America in his new role, Rubio, speaking on Sirius XM’s The Megyn Kelly Show, echoed President Donald Trump's concerns about Chinese influence over the critical waterway.
During his inauguration speech on January 20, Trump accused Panama of not honoring commitments made during the final transfer of the canal in 1999 and of allowing China to gain control of its operations – allegations vigorously refuted by the Panamanian government.
While Trump had pledged to reclaim the canal without specifying a timeline or approach, Rubio, known for his tough stance on China, highlighted a Hong Kong-based company's control of crucial canal ports and the potential for them to comply with Chinese government directives, including shutting down the canal if instructed.
Despite Panamanian denials of ceding the canal's operation to China, Rubio underscored U.S. concerns regarding Chinese influence over this critical maritime passage and emphasized the need to address this issue promptly.
Rubio did not echo Trump's promise to reclaim the canal but stressed the U.S.'s commitment to resolving the raised concerns, emphasizing that the current situation is untenable.
In response to accusations of imperialistic behavior related to the canal and Greenland, Rubio's remarks raised concerns over potential repercussions on global geopolitics, including Russian actions in Ukraine and potential Chinese aggression towards Taiwan.
While some question the seriousness of Trump's statements regarding the canal, suggesting they may be negotiation tactics, the underlying issue of Chinese influence over the Panama Canal remains a focal point for U.S. policymakers.