Rubio’s visit to Panama resulted in the first foreign policy victory for the Trump administration, but there is more to be done.
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After meeting with U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio, Panamanian President José Raúl Mulino announced that Panama will back out of the China-funded global infrastructure program. This decision is a notable victory for the Trump administration, but more action is needed to address China’s influence over the Panama Canal.
The United States constructed the Panama Canal in the early 20th century, later returning control to Panama through a treaty signed by former President Jimmy Carter in 1977. The Canal remains vital for U.S. economic and strategic interests. According to the Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS), the Panama Canal is “a major gateway between the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans and a provider of lower shipping costs for U.S. and global trade.” Importantly, more than 60 percent of the goods that pass through the Canal either originate in or are destined for U.S. markets, making equal access essential for U.S. national security and economic well-being.
