Posted on 02/02/2025 7:35:21 PM PST by SeekAndFind
Secretary of State Marco Rubio met with Panamanian President José Raúl Mulino on Sunday, making it clear that the U.S. won’t tolerate China’s growing influence over the Panama Canal.
“Secretary Rubio informed President Mulino and Minister Martínez-Acha that President Trump has made a preliminary determination that the current position of influence and control of the Chinese Communist Party over the Panama Canal area is a threat to the canal and represents a violation of the Treaty Concerning the Permanent Neutrality and Operation of the Panama Canal,” the State Department said in a statement. “Secretary Rubio made clear that this status quo is unacceptable and that absent immediate changes, it would require the United States to take measures necessary to protect its rights under the Treaty.”
The Associated Press had an interesting take on the situation:
The statement was unusually blunt in diplomatic terms, but in keeping with the tenor and tone Trump has set for foreign policy. Trump has been increasing pressure on Washington’s neighbors and allies, including the canal demand and announcing Saturday that he was imposing major tariffs on Canada and Mexico. That launched a trade war by prompting retaliation from those close allies.
Mulino, meanwhile, called his talks with Rubio “respectful” and “positive” and said he did not “feel like there’s a real threat against the treaty and its validity.”
The news had barely settled before another bombshell dropped: Panama has backed down.
Panamanian President José Raúl Mulino announced that after his meeting Rubio, his government will not renew its 2017 memorandum with China on the “Belt and Road Initiative.” He also stated that Panama will seek to terminate its agreements with the Chinese government ahead of their scheduled end dates in 2027 and 2028.
(Excerpt) Read more at pjmedia.com ...
Winner winner chicken dinner!
I’m a little surprised but Rubio has been effective here
Trump,🇺🇸,👍
💯 %
The tariffs on Mexico and Canada are about China as well. China is using them to avoid tariffs and they’re more than happy to oblige them.
Well it’s a plus Rubio is a bilingual bubble boy
I’m sure Rubio is familiar with Spanish swear words too. He’s a good choice for running the State Department.
“I’m a little surprised but Rubio has been effective here.”
Rubio is the errand boy.
L
“I’m sure Rubio is familiar with Spanish swear words too. He’s a good choice for running the State Department.”
Never considered that, but with Trump’s pivot away from Claus Schwab and towards the Western Hemisphere, Rubio is the perfect pick.
As to loyalty, he is smart - he knows the ticket to making it to the finals in the 2028 Primary is to be as closely identified with Trump as possible...and put his own thoughts in the cooler for a while.
https://min.news/en/society/d0447fbc9d2fe71863a0905e3fbc41ba.html
I realize that he’s just an envoy for Trump but he’s doing it well. It suits him ? Maybe he’s found his calling
He did give up his senate seat for this
Rubio speeko the lingo.
The timing is good for this. Just imagine how nervous the Panamanians have become with all the Chinese making themselves at home there.
Chicken Almond Ding!
MAGA !!!
Keep up the momentum, Mr. President Trump!!!
Purge! Purge! Purge!
Give the rotten swamp rats the same treatment they gave to THEIR political enemies and the J6ers!!!
Sue the everloving SHIT out of the MSM for their involvement in election-tampering, and their baseless defamatory statements!
Competition is good & congrats to Nicaragua/China. What’s important regarding Panama is that their canal is already there + if they abide by the treaty (and we on our part) then it’s good for relations/integrity.
Save a vacation, I’ve never looked foreword to the following week since 47...
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.