Is Rubio's Meeting With Panama President On His First Foreign Trip An Effort To Bring Canal Back To US?

The top diplomat in President Donald Trump's administration, Marco Rubio, began his first foreign visit on Sunday, meeting Panamanian President Jose Raul Mulino to discuss US concerns about Chinese companies potentially affecting American shipping access around the Panama Canal and regional migration issues.

The US secretary of state is touring Central America and the Caribbean on his first foray in the post as he seeks to refocus US diplomacy on the Western Hemisphere - in part to recruit help in stemming migration toward the US southern border. Trump began his second term as president on January 20.

Arrived in Panama this evening on my first trip as Secretary of State. We’re working days, nights, weekends -- whatever it takes to strengthen our national security, protect our borders, and enhance economic prosperity for Americans. pic.twitter.com/775KodqG1J

— Secretary Marco Rubio (@SecRubio) February 2, 2025

Why is Rubio's visit crucial?

The visit also reflects a US desire to counter China's growing diplomatic influence in Latin America. Trump upon returning to office threatened to take control of the Panama Canal, built by the United States in the early 20th century and handed over to Panama under a 1977 Treaty, claiming the canal is being operated by China.

.@SecRubio is in Panama to address the shared challenges we face in our region, especially the threat of the Chinese Communist Party. Glad to have a partner that stands with the U.S. in the fight against illegal migration and who champions a free, democratic Venezuela. We will… pic.twitter.com/YNF5rFrlT2

— Tammy Bruce (@statedeptspox) February 2, 2025

The comments were followed by a public backlash, and Panama rebuked Trump's threats. China has said it plays no part in operating the canal and that it respects Panama's sovereignty and independence over the waterway. The canal is operated by the Panama Canal Authority, an autonomous agency overseen by the Panamanian government. Following Trump's threats to take back the canal, Panama launched an audit of publicly listed Hong Kong company CK Hutchison Holdings, which operates two ports at the canal's Atlantic and Pacific entrances.

Will Rubio be able to deter China? 

Rubio, a longtime China hawk during his Senate career, said last week that China could use the ports to shut down the canal, a vital route for US shipping, in the event of a conflict between Beijing and Washington. Rubio met with Mulino at the president's residence in Panama City. Rubio and his delegation then held talks with Mulino, Foreign Minister Javier Martínez-Acha Vásquez and other Panamanian officials. Neither side made remarks to the press ahead of the meeting.

Mulino has said the ownership of the canal is not on the table in the talks with Rubio. Rubio also plans to discuss migration issues in Panama, which cooperates with the United States on preventing migration across the Darien gap, the route across Panama's rugged southern border with Colombia used by human traffickers and drug smugglers. Rubio has ordered the State Department to put migration issues at the centre of its diplomacy with countries in the region. Officials.

(With inputs from Reuters)