US will take back Panama Canal from ‘China’s influence’, Trump defence chief says
Pete Hegseth said Beijing would not be allowed to ‘weaponise’ the waterway by using Chinese firms’ commercial relationships for espionage
The United States will take back the Panama Canal from Chinese influence, US Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth said on Tuesday during a visit to the Central American nation.
Hegseth, following talks with Panama’s government, vowed to deepen cooperation and said China would not be allowed to “weaponise” the canal by using Chinese firms’ commercial relationships for espionage.
“Together, we will take back the Panama Canal from China’s influence,” Hegseth said.
Speaking after a meeting with Panama President José Raúl Mulino, Hegseth alluded to ports at either end of the canal that are controlled by a Hong Kong consortium, which is in the process of selling its controlling stake to another consortium including BlackRock Inc.
“China-based companies continue to control critical infrastructure in the canal area,” Hegseth said.
“That gives China the potential to conduct surveillance activities across Panama. This makes Panama and the United States less secure, less prosperous and less sovereign. And as President Donald Trump has pointed out, that situation is not acceptable.”