Panama has said that it will fortify its relations with the United States and terminate a significant development agreement with China. The choice comes after U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio visited Panama and spoke with President José Raúl Mulino.
Panama will not extend a 2017 memorandum of understanding to join China’s Belt and Road Initiative, according to President Mulino, who also said that Panama’s sovereignty over the Panama Canal remained important. Panama will instead concentrate on strengthening its cooperation with the United States. Mulino expressed hope that Rubio’s visit will increase U.S. investment and create new connections.
In a post on X (previously Twitter), Secretary Rubio underlined the United States’ determination to stop China from expanding its control over the Panama Canal.
