Panama President swore on Sunday to finish the key Development Agreement with China After a meeting with State Secretary Marc Rubio, after the complaint of President Donald Trump, that the Latin American state took control of its critical ship channel in Beijing.
José Raúl Mulino, President of Panama, said that the sovereignty of his state would remain unchanged over a 51 kilometer -long path, which connects the Pacific Ocean and the Caribbean Sea. But he said he would not renew the Memorandum of Understanding from 2017 to join the Chinese initiative for a global development initiative and that Panama would instead look closer to the United States
“I think this visit opens the door to build new relationships … and try to increase as much as possible US investment in Panama,” Mulino told reporters after meeting Rubio on his first international trip.
Rubio, who was a senator who represented Florida Before Trump touched him to be the best American diplomat, he said his team was ready to push the American plan.
‘Returning’: Internal House GOP Memorandum shows a case for Trump to y Panama Channel
“I was pleased to meet the incredible @usemmban team during my first embassy meeting and welcomed in my new role as the Secretary of State!” Rubio wrote in a post about X. “Thanksgiving for their dedication and constant efforts to promote the vision of President Trump about the first foreign policy of America.”
During his visit, he ruined in a post on X that “the United States cannot, and will not, allow the Chinese communist party to continue with his effective and growing control over the Panaman Channel.”
Trump complained that China was controlling the channel and accusing of the US supply to the six -digit premiums to cross Panamine Isthmus. The canal was built over several decades by the United States and completed in 1914, but handed over to Panami during the Carter administration.
Trump Re -ownership of the Panaman Channel made a priority in his administration. Republicans in the house He introduced a bill for the United States for the purchase of the Panaman Channel after Trump caused concern that the critical waterway was under Chinese control.
The proposal of the Law, called the Panaman Channel Commalum Law, was introduced by Rev. Dusty Johnson, Rs.d., Member of the Cinema Board of Cinema and the Committee on Transport and Infrastructure of the House.
“President Trump is rightly to consider the purchase of the Panaman channel,” Johnson said in a statement. “The Chinese interest in and presence around the channel is the reason for concern. America must project strength abroad – possession and management of the Panaman Channel could be an important step towards a stronger America and a safer globe.”
House Republicans enter Bill to buy channels of Panama after Trump causes care of Chinese control
Panama announced that he would not renew the initiative of the belt and road with China after State Secretary Marco Rubio visited the country. (Reuters)
If that becomes the law, the bill would give the President of the authority to act in coordination with the Secretary of State to “start and perform negotiations with the appropriate colleagues of the Government of the Republic of Panama Reacquire Panama Channel. “
President Donald Trump has expressed concern that Panama canal is controlled by China. (Getty Images)
The US State Department estimates that about 72% of all vessels traveling to the Panaman channel come from or leave the US port.
Noticing the strategic importance of the United States channel, the Johnson office also noted that the waterway is a key transit point for the US Coast Guard and the Ministry of Defense.
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Without access to the channel, ships would be forced to cross 8000 extra miles around South America.
“More than 10,000 ships are used by a Panaman channel every year, creating billions of tolls, which would economically use America,” Johnson’s office said.
While the role of channels and China in the region at the top of the agenda, Rubio had other lift items.
“We also talked about the efforts to end the massive migration crisis of the hemisphere and secured a fair competition for US companies,” Rubio added.
The Fox News Digital addressed the state department, but did not immediately get an answer.
Danielle Wallace from Fox News Digital contributed to this report.
Stepheny Price is a writer for Fox News Digital and Fox Business. Tips and ideas of the story can be sent to Stepheny.price@fox.com
