PANAMA CITY — Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth is headed back to Washington as the triumphant bearer of good tidings for President Donald Trump: Panama and the United States will partner to protect the Panama Canal from maligned Chinese interests.
It was both a difficult and delicate task for Hegseth and the Defense officials who accompanied him to bilateral meetings at President José Raúl Mulino’s palace in Panama City. The Panama Canal is a point of national identify for many Panamanians, a senior defense official pointed out on Wednesday evening, and any sense or suspicion of infringement on their sovereignty is considered highly problematic.
The trip began on an energetic but cautiously optimistic note, as Defense Department officials flew down to Panama prepared to engage in serious dialogue but not entirely sure how the week would go. After all, President José Raúl Mulino had angrily attacked Trump when the U.S. president posted that he wanted to retake the Panama Canal and expressed concerns about China&#8217;s influence on the region.
Yet by the time Hegseth departed the country, the Secretary of Defense had signed both a memorandum of understanding on cooperative security activities and a joint declaration on the security and operation of the Panama Canal — a framework for US warships and auxiliary ships to sail “first and free” through the busiest waterway in the world.
<div id="attachment_905733" style="width: 874px" class="wp-caption alignnone"><a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/first-and-free-defense-secretary-hegseth-secures-historic-partnership-with-panama-against-china/panama-us-mulino-abrego-hegseth" rel="attachment wp-att-905733"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-905733" class="wp-image-905733 size-large" src="https://dw-wp-production.imgix.net/2025/04/GettyImages-2208740194-864x576.jpg" alt="" width="864" height="576" srcset="https://dw-wp-production.imgix.net/2025/04/GettyImages-2208740194-864x576.jpg 864w, https://dw-wp-production.imgix.net/2025/04/GettyImages-2208740194-300x200.jpg 300w, https://dw-wp-production.imgix.net/2025/04/GettyImages-2208740194-768x512.jpg 768w, https://dw-wp-production.imgix.net/2025/04/GettyImages-2208740194.jpg 1024w" sizes="(max-width: 864px) 100vw, 864px" /></a>Panama&#8217;s President Jose Raul Mulino looks on as US Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth signs a bilateral agreement, in Panama City on April 9, 2025.  (Photo by Franco BRANA / AFP) (Photo by FRANCO BRANA/AFP via Getty Images)</div>
&#8220;These documents reaffirm our historic ties and outline how we will deepen our relationship and strengthen bilateral canal security cooperation,&#8221; Hegseth said on Wednesday. &#8220;It also builds on the great work started by our Secretary of State, Marco Rubio, and his team.&#8221;
The expanded U.S. and Panama relationship will also focus on cyber cooperation, information sharing, bilateral security dialogs, and canal infrastructure, Hegseth said at a press conference in Panama City on Wednesday.  The memorandum of understanding will also increase joint training exercises, operations, and &#8220;overall interoperability&#8221; between Panama and the U.S., including joint presence at Fort Sherman, where the Jungle School will be revived, and Rodman Naval Station and Howard Air Force Base.
The focus: helping Panama “deter and counter malign activity in the areas surrounding the canal.”
In recent months, China had denied inappropriate interference and accused the U.S. of trying to coerce Panama into blocking Chinese initiatives in the area. But Trump administration officials, and the president himself, are acutely aware of and focused on combatting the reach of the Chinese Communist Party across the globe. It&#8217;s a core pillar of the Trump administration&#8217;s national defense strategy.
And given the vital importance of the Panama Canal to the United States, one of the very first calls that Hegseth made as Defense Secretary was to Panama’s president and minister of public security, in late February or January, a senior Defense official shared on Wednesday evening.
“The status quo is unacceptable,” Secretary of State Marco Rubio told Mulino when he visited Panama last month.
Defense Department officials spent Tuesday and Wednesday underscoring the need to protect not only the United States, but also Panama, from China. They pointed out that promises that China had made to Panama had not come to fruition, officials said. But the key dynamic that persuaded Panama towards this partnership, one defense official insisted, was the fact that Trump is now president of the United States — trust, confidence, and inspiration in politically elected leadership in the United States.
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-media-max-width="560">
NEW: I asked <a href="https://twitter.com/PeteHegseth?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@PeteHegseth</a> if he’s concerned about retaliation from China following his fruitful visit to Panama.
“No,” he responds. “I’m not worried about retaliation from China. We will stand on our own merits. Peace through strength matters. We represent our interests, put… <a href="https://t.co/GxFtDq34Zn">pic.twitter.com/GxFtDq34Zn</a>
— Mary Margaret Olohan (@MaryMargOlohan) <a href="https://twitter.com/MaryMargOlohan/status/1910065973085757646?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 9, 2025</a></blockquote>
On Wednesday evening, before he boarded the 89th Airlift Wing back to Washington, D.C., Hegseth called the visit “historic,” telling reporters that the trip “not only met but exceeded our expectations.”
Hegseth praised the president of Panama, expressing gratitude to the Panamanian leader for the role he played in the day’s events and calling him a “great friend of the United States.”
“Man, he’s a fierce defender of his country,” said the Defense Secretary, adding quickly, “ and rightfully so.”
Just as President Trump puts America first, Hegseth said, President Mulino fights for Panamanian interests.
“At the same time we are working with them to ensure we can take back the canal from maligned Chinese interests,” Hegseth noted. “The Panamanians don’t want that influence, neither do we. That’s important for their sovereignty. We’re excited to be partners with them.”
The Defense Secretary told The Daily Wire he&#8217;s not worried about retaliation from China at this time.
&#8220;We will stand on our own merits,&#8221; he added. &#8220;Peace through strength matters. We represent our interests, put America first, President Trump is staring them down on trade…”
Defense officials stressed that this week&#8217;s visit to Panama is the first of many visits to come. &#8220;This is not a situation where we just jump on the plane and fly away,&#8221; one official shared. &#8220;No, we are with this. We are about bolstering that alliance.&#8221;
For his part, Hegseth stressed that the renewed relationship between Panama and United States will foster what the U.S. desires: &#8220;a hemisphere that is secure, prosperous, and full of sovereign nations.&#8221;
&#8220;This is not about globalism or foreign adventurism,&#8221; he said on Wednesday. &#8220;This is a golden age of clear eyed Americanism and shared national interests. We want this to be a golden age for our countries together and for this hemisphere. We want, in short, not only to make America great again, but to make the Americas great again.&#8221;

U.S. Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth in Panama

FIRST AND FREE: Defense Secretary Hegseth Secures ‘Historic’ Partnership With Panama Against China

China

Panama

Panama Canal

Pete Hegseth

PANAMA CITY, PANAMA — Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth took a hardline stance against China during his Tuesday visit to Panama, where he met with Minister of Public Security Frank Abrego and Panamanian President José Raúl Mulino before giving remarks at the Panama Canal.
Hegseth was greeted by Abrego upon his arrival at Palacio de Las Garzas, and proceeded inside for a meeting with Mulino that lasted more than an hour longer than what had been planned.
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PANAMA CITY — Secretary Hegseth arrives at the Palacio de Las Garzas and is greeted by Minister of Public Security Frank Abrego <a href="https://t.co/tPxQf01nA7">pic.twitter.com/tPxQf01nA7</a>
&mdash; Mary Margaret Olohan (@MaryMargOlohan) <a href="https://twitter.com/MaryMargOlohan/status/1909606107812667641?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 8, 2025</a></blockquote>
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PANAMÁ CITY — Bilateral meeting has concluded, Secretary Hegseth emerges, shakes hands with Frank Abrego. The meeting went 1.5 hours over. 
We’re now heading in the motorcade to the Panama Canal! <a href="https://t.co/ZwUxVvegwP">pic.twitter.com/ZwUxVvegwP</a>
&mdash; Mary Margaret Olohan (@MaryMargOlohan) <a href="https://twitter.com/MaryMargOlohan/status/1909644896648282450?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 8, 2025</a></blockquote>
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Hegseth arrived in Panama following several exchanges between President Donald Trump and President Mulino over control of the canal amid concerns about Chinese influence over operations.
&#8220;It was an honor to speak with you today, President @JoseRaulMulino. You and your country’s hard work is making a difference. Increased security cooperation will make both our nations safer, stronger, and more prosperous,&#8221; the Defense Secretary touted a successful meeting before his appearance at the canal.
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It was an honor to speak with you today, President <a href="https://twitter.com/JoseRaulMulino?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@JoseRaulMulino</a>. You and your country’s hard work is making a difference. Increased security cooperation will make both our nations safer, stronger, and more prosperous. <a href="https://t.co/TLxbrMlFzW">pic.twitter.com/TLxbrMlFzW</a>
&mdash; Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth (@SecDef) <a href="https://twitter.com/SecDef/status/1909643007890010162?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 8, 2025</a></blockquote>
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Hegseth followed that meeting with a ribbon cutting for a new United States-financed dock at the Vasco Nuñez de Balboa Naval Base, where he outlined the risks posed by China and promised the United States would work with Panama to mitigate those risks.
WATCH:
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🚨NEW: <a href="https://twitter.com/SecDef?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@SecDef</a> at the Panama Canal: “China did not build this canal. China does not operate this canal. And China will not weaponize this canal….Together [ the U.S. and Panama] will take back the Panama Canal from China’s influence.” <a href="https://t.co/1SZBh6T4GU">pic.twitter.com/1SZBh6T4GU</a>
&mdash; Mary Margaret Olohan (@MaryMargOlohan) <a href="https://twitter.com/MaryMargOlohan/status/1909655554307637613?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 8, 2025</a></blockquote>
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&#8220;China-based companies continue to control critical infrastructure in the canal area. 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,&#8221; Hegseth explained, saying that in order to counter the threat, &#8220;the United States and Panama have done more in recent weeks to strengthen our defense and security cooperation than we have in decades.&#8221;
&#8220;China did not build this canal. China does not operate this canal. And China will not weaponize this canal. … Together with Panama in the lead, we will keep the canal secure and available for all nations through the deterrent power of the strongest, most effective, and most lethal fighting force in the world. We will do this in partnership with Panama — together we will take back the Panama Canal from China’s influence,&#8221; Hegseth declared.

Hegseth Takes Hardline Stance In Panama: ‘China Will Not Weaponize This Canal’

Global Politics

Politics

World

President Donald Trump has reportedly ordered the U.S. military to come up with a variety of options for retaking the Panama Canal as he seeks to push communist China from operating around the canal.
NBC News <a href="https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/national-security/trump-white-house-asked-us-military-develop-options-panama-canal-offic-rcna195994" target="_blank" rel="noopener">reported</a> that United States Southern Command is spearheading the effort, which includes everything from partnering with Panamanian security forces to the United States military retaking the canal by force.
Officials said that whether the United States military is used depends solely on whether Panama complies with U.S. demands.
Adm. Alvin Holsey, commander of United States Southern Command, &#8220;presented draft strategies to Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth this week,&#8221; the report said.
Officials said that the United States taking over Panama was not out of the question, but would likely only happen if an increased U.S. military presence in Panama did not achieve Trump&#8217;s goal of taking back the canal that the United States paid for and built.
Trump said that the United States would be &#8220;reclaiming&#8221; the canal and efforts are already underway to do so with the goal being to &#8220;further enhance our national security.&#8221;
&#8220;It was given away by the Carter administration for $1, but that agreement has been violated very severely,&#8221; Trump said during his address to Congress last week. &#8220;We didn’t give it to China. We gave it to Panama, and we’re taking it back.&#8221;
The report said:
<blockquote>Privately, Trump has told his advisers that he sees a U.S. military presence in Panama and on the canal itself as critical to that effort, the U.S. officials said. Trump has also made it clear that he wants U.S. service members to be visible in the canal zone as a show of force.
Trump administration officials have argued that China has too large a presence near the canal. In the event of a conflict, they say, Beijing could shut down the canal to American shipping, including military ships.</blockquote>
Gen. Laura Richardson, then the commander of United States Southern Command, told the House Armed Services Committee last year that China is &#8220;playing the long game&#8221; with its economic development projects around the world, which it uses to advance its military interests.
&#8220;The PRC [People&#8217;s Republic of China] messages its investments as peaceful, but in fact, many serve as points of future multi-domain access for the PLA [People&#8217;s Liberation Army] and strategic naval chokepoints,&#8221; she said. &#8220;In Panama, PRC-controlled State-Owned Enterprises, SOEs, continue to bid on projects related to the Panama Canal — a global strategic chokepoint.”

USS Ronald Reagan

Trump Orders Military To Draw Up Plans To Retake Panama Canal

Communist China

Donald Trump

Executive

Military

President Donald Trump declared on Tuesday that the United States &#8220;will be reclaiming” the Panama Canal, saying that America would once again control the critical shipping lane. 
During his address to a joint session of Congress, Trump celebrated the news that financial asset manager BlackRock had reached a deal to purchase two major Panama Canal ports. Trump had previously pushed for America to take control of the canal, arguing that Panama was taking advantage of the United States. 
“My administration will be reclaiming the Panama Canal, and we’ve already started doing it,” he said. “Just today, a large American company announced they are buying both ports around the Panama Canal.”
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TRUMP: &#8220;The Panama Canal was built by Americans for Americans, not for others.&#8221; <a href="https://t.co/2vHeVuagis">pic.twitter.com/2vHeVuagis</a>
— Daily Wire (@realDailyWire) <a href="https://twitter.com/realDailyWire/status/1897135132370415697?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 5, 2025</a></blockquote>
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On Tuesday, BlackRock <a href="https://www.ckh.com.hk/en/media/press_each.php?id=3431" target="_blank" rel="noopener">announced</a> that it would take control of two ports from the Hong Kong-based CK Hutchison Holdings in a $23 billion deal that also includes 43 other ports around the world. The agreement will have to be approved by the government of Panama, which has <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/panama-gives-in-to-trump-will-let-u-s-navy-ships-pass-canal-for-free" target="_blank" rel="noopener">made concessions</a> to the Trump administration in recent weeks. 
“The Panama Canal was built by Americans for Americans, not for others. But others could use it. But it was built at tremendous cost of American blood and treasure,” Trump said during his speech. “38,000 workers died building the Panama Canal. They died of malaria, they died of snake bites, and mosquitos, not a nice place to work. They paid them very highly to go there, knowing there was a 25% chance they would die.”
Trump ripped into the Carter administration for relinquishing control of the canal back in 1977. 
“It was given away by the Carter administration for one dollar, but that agreement has been violated very severely,” Trump said. “We didn’t give it to China, we gave it to Panama, and we’re taking it back.” 
Last month, Panama agreed to offer free passage to U.S. Navy vessels traveling through the canal after a meeting between Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Panamanian President José Raúl Mulino. Panama later announced it would not renew its participation in China’s Belt and Road Initiative.

PANAMA-TRANSPORT-CANAL

Trump Says U.S. Is ‘Reclaiming’ The Panama Canal

BlackRock

Panama offered free passage to U.S. Navy vessels traveling through the Panama Canal following a meeting between Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Panamanian President José Raúl Mulino on Sunday, according to a senior Trump administration official.
The move will save the United States between $2.5 million and $3 million a year. Reducing the cost of using the canal has been a priority for President Donald Trump, who in December slammed the “exorbitant” rates Panama charged the Navy for passage.
During a tour of the canal, the Panama Canal Authority told Rubio that it would work with the United States to “optimize transit priority of U.S. Navy vessels,” <a href="https://pancanal.com/en/administrator-of-the-panama-canal-welcomes-the-us-secretary-of-state-marco-rubio/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">according to a statement from the authority</a>.
Fifty-two percent of transits through the canal have ports of origin or destinations in the United States, according to the authority.
Rubio on Sunday gave Mulino an ultimatum over China’s growing influence over the Panama Canal in a face-to-face meeting.
According to State Department Spokesperson Tammy Bruce, Rubio informed Mulino that Trump has made a preliminary determination that the Chinese Communist Party’s “position of influence and control” over the Panama Canal is a violation of the Treaty Concerning the Permanent Neutrality and Operation of the Panama Canal.
“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 statement said.
On Sunday night, Mulino announced that his country would not be renewing its agreement with China’s Belt and Road Initiative, and would look into ending the agreement earlier than the set end date.
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
NEW: After meeting with <a href="https://twitter.com/SecRubio?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw" target="_blank" rel="noopener">@SecRubio</a> today, Panama’s president announced the country will not be renewing its memo with China on its Belt and Road Initiative.
Panama will also look into ending the agreement earlier than the set end date. <a href="https://t.co/g7WF0w9WhT" target="_blank" rel="noopener">pic.twitter.com/g7WF0w9WhT</a>
— Kassy Akiva (@KassyAkiva) <a href="https://twitter.com/KassyAkiva/status/1886188418880634989?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw" target="_blank" rel="noopener">February 2, 2025</a></blockquote>
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“One important thing, which is a decision I made and communicated to him, is that the 2017 memorandum of understanding on the Silk Road, part of the Belt and Road Initiative, will not be renewed by my government,” Mulino said. “We are going to study the possibility of whether it can be ended earlier or not.”
Trump has pressured Panama to reduce Chinese influence over the canal or face the United States retaking control. Trump argued that this influence could result in the canal being closed off to the United States, posing a threat to national security and violating the treaty. He also pointed out that the United States was instrumental in building the canal, with many Americans losing their lives during its construction.
The United States ceded the canal to Panama in 1999, pursuant to a 1977 treaty signed by President Jimmy Carter.
Mulino has maintained that Panama controls the canal despite a Hong Kong company operating ports at both sides of the canal.

Marco Rubio

Panama Gives In To Trump, Will Let U.S. Navy Ships Pass Canal For Free

U.S. Navy

Panamanian President José Raúl Mulino said on Sunday afternoon that his country will be withdrawing from communist China&#8217;s predatory Belt and Road Initiative after meeting with Secretary of State <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/topic/marco-rubio" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Marco Rubio</a>.
Rubio&#8217;s trip comes as President Donald Trump has signaled that he is willing to use military power to retake control of the Panama Canal if the country does not regain complete control over the operations of the canal from China.
&#8220;One important thing, which is a decision I made and communicated to him, is that the 2017 memorandum of understanding on the Silk Road, part of the Belt and Road Initiative, will not be renewed by my government,&#8221; Mulino said. &#8220;That is a fact.&#8221;
&#8220;We are going to study the possibility of whether it can be ended earlier or not,&#8221; he continued. &#8220;I think it is up for renewal in one or two years, because it’s every three.&#8221;
&#8220;So that initiative which was signed will not be renewed by my government,&#8221; he added.
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
🇵🇦🇺🇸 | Luego de la reunión con el secretario de Estado de Estados Unidos, Marco Rubio, el presidente de Panamá, José Raúl Molino, informó que su gobierno no renovará el memorando de entendimiento sobre la &#8220;Ruta de la Seda&#8221; firmado con China.
👉 &#8220;Vamos a estudiar la posibilidad… <a href="https://t.co/mxGjyHzjpl">pic.twitter.com/mxGjyHzjpl</a>
— PanAm Post Español (@PanAmPost_es) <a href="https://twitter.com/PanAmPost_es/status/1886167199804543362?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 2, 2025</a></blockquote>
Rubio <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/marco-rubio-gives-panama-ultimatum-over-chinese-influence-on-canal">thanked</a> Mulino for his support of the program to repatriate illegal immigrants, which has reduced illegal migration through the Darien Gap.
The two leaders also spoke about improving the playing field for fair competition by U.S. businesses, and Mulino’s support for a democratic, free Venezuela.
“Secretary Rubio expressed his gratitude for the productive discussion and underscored the United States’ dedication to making both nations safer, stronger, and more prosperous,” the statement added. “He noted this meeting marks an important step in reinvigorating the strategic relationship between the United States and Panama, in line with President Trump’s vision.”
Kassy Akiva contributed to this report.
Related: <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/ted-cruz-gives-legal-argument-for-why-u-s-should-retake-panama-canal">Ted Cruz Gives Legal Argument For Why U.S. Should Retake Panama Canal </a>

PANAMA-MIGRATION-RIGHTS-MULINO

Panama’s President Says Nation Will End Major Economic Deal With China After Rubio Visit

Secretary of State <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/topic/marco-rubio" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Marco Rubio</a> gave Panama President José Raúl Mulino an ultimatum today over China’s growing influence over the Panama Canal in a face-to-face meeting.
According to State Department Spokesperson Tammy Bruce, Rubio informed Mulino that President Donald Trump has made a preliminary determination that the Chinese Communist Party’s “position of influence and control” over the Panama Canal is a violation of the Treaty Concerning the Permanent Neutrality and Operation of the Panama Canal.
“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 statement said.
The meeting comes as Trump has pressured Panama to reduce the influence of Chinese companies over the canal, which is vital to global trade. Trump argued that this influence could result in the canal being closed off to the U.S., posing a threat to national security and violating the treaty. He also pointed out that the U.S. was instrumental in building the canal in the early 1900s, with many Americans losing their lives during its construction.
Mulino has maintained that Panama controls the canal despite a Hong Kong company operating ports at both sides of the canal.
Rubio also thanked Mulino for his support of the program to repatriate illegal immigrants, which has reduced illegal migration through the Darien Gap.
The two leaders also spoke about improving the playing field for fair competition by U.S. businesses, and Mulino’s support for a democratic, free Venezuela.
“Secretary Rubio expressed his gratitude for the productive discussion and underscored the United States&#8217; dedication to making both nations safer, stronger, and more prosperous,” the statement added. “He noted this meeting marks an important step in reinvigorating the strategic relationship between the United States and Panama, in line with President Trump’s vision.”
In the meeting was also Panama’s Foreign Minister Javier Martínez-Acha.
Rubio kicked off his Central American tour in Panama today where, in addition to his meeting with the country’s leader, he is touring the Miraflores Locks at the Panama canal, and meeting with U.S. embassy staff and their families. Rubio will also visit El Salvador, Costa Rica, Guatemala, and the Dominican Republic from February 1 to 6.
Rubio’s trip is the first time a secretary of state chose to travel to Latin America as the first trip in over 100 years, <a href="https://www.foxnews.com/world/rubio-heads-panama-latin-america-pursue-trumps-golden-age-agenda" target="_blank" rel="noopener">reported Fox News</a>.

Marco Rubio Gives Panama Ultimatum Over Chinese Influence On Canal

Secretary of State <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/topic/marco-rubio" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Marco Rubio</a> said during an interview this week that President Donald Trump is serious about the U.S. retaking the Panama Canal and acquiring Greenland for national security purposes.
Rubio made the remarks during an interview with Megyn Kelly after being confirmed and sworn in to the role last week.
&#8220;The Arctic Circle and the Arctic region is going to become critical for shipping lanes for how you get some of this energy that&#8217;s going to be produced under President Trump,&#8221; Rubio said. &#8220;These energies rely on shipping lanes. The Arctic is some of the most valuable shipping lanes in the world. As some of the ice is melting, [it&#8217;s] become more and more navigable. We need to be able to defend that.&#8221;
Rubio said that communist China was trying to stage operations in Greenland to take control of shipping lanes the same way that it was in the Panama Canal.
Rubio said that they are installing facilities that give them access to the Arctic under the cover of a Chinese company, but that in reality &#8220;serve a dual purpose, that in a moment of conflict, they could send naval vessels to that facility and operate from there.&#8221;
&#8220;And that is completely unacceptable to the security of the world and the national security of the United States,&#8221; he said.
&#8220;So the question becomes, if the Chinese begin to threaten Greenland, do we really trust that that is not a place where those deals are going to be made? Do we really trust that that is not a place where they would not intervene, maybe by force?&#8221;
Rubio noted that Denmark is unable to stop China because they are too weak and they already rely on the U.S. to do so.
&#8220;If the United States is on the hook to provide, as we are now, we have a defense agreement with them to protect Greenland if it becomes under assault,&#8221; he said. &#8220;If we&#8217;re already on the hook for having to do that, then what we might as well have more control over what happens there. And so I know it&#8217;s a delicate topic for Denmark, but it&#8217;s, again, a national interest item for the United States.&#8221;
<iframe loading="lazy" title="The Strategic Reasons the Trump Administration Really Wants to Buy Greenland, with Secretary Rubio" width="500" height="281" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/HrEM4nmzGEo?feature=oembed" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" referrerpolicy="strict-origin-when-cross-origin" allowfullscreen></iframe>

Marco Rubio Sworn In As US Secretary Of State

Rubio Weighs In On Trump’s Desire For Greenland, Panama Canal

General

Greenland

Sen. Ted Cruz (R-TX) said this week that the U.S. has a legal right to retake control of the Panama Canal after the Latin American country failed to live up to the obligations it agreed to decades ago.
Cruz made the remarks this week on his &#8220;Verdict&#8221; podcast, which he co-hosted with Ben Ferguson. They discussed President Donald Trump&#8217;s push to retake the canal.
&#8220;They made a commitment, number one, that the Panama Canal would remain neutral, that it would not allow another foreign power to have control over it, to have military access to it,&#8221; Cruz said. &#8220;And number two, they made a commitment in treaty that they would charge fair and equitable fees.&#8221;
&#8220;On both ends of the Panama Canal, on the Pacific side and on the Atlantic side, China controls, Chinese corporations, control massive ports that are right there that give them access and give them the ability to observe all traffic going through the canal, and potentially to shut down all traffic going through the canal,&#8221; Cruz said. &#8220;As I mentioned, also in my opening, they are building a bridge across the canal, they are spending over a decade building that bridge.&#8221;
He noted that Panama brings in nearly $3 billion a year from fees charged to ships transiting the canal.
“75% of those transits are American ships,&#8221; he continued. &#8220;So, they are either American cargo ships, commercial ships, going across or they&#8217;re American military ships, the US Navy going across. But either way, Panama is making billions, and the testimony we heard in the hearing today is that on both of those grounds, there is a strong argument that Panama is in violation of the treaty.”
Cruz said the worst-case scenario for the U.S. in its push to retake the canal was that Panama would lower the rates that it charges the U.S., and there would be a &#8220;significant diminution in China&#8217;s control and influence over the Panama Canal.&#8221;
&#8220;That is a massive benefit, but I gotta say, after this hearing today, I&#8217;ve moved; I actually think the treaty arguments here are quite serious, and I get Panama would be horrified to give up the canal because they were given a gigantic gift from Jimmy Carter at the expense of the United States of America,&#8221; he said. &#8220;But I think the arguments that Panama is violating the treaty and has forfeited its right to the canal. I think those arguments are very serious, and I expect the administration to pursue them seriously.&#8221;

Senator Ted Cruz Campaigns For Reelection

Ted Cruz Gives Legal Argument For Why U.S. Should Retake Panama Canal

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Secretary of State Marco Rubio is reportedly heading to Panama as early as next week for his first foreign trip as the head of the U.S. State Department.
The trip sends a clear message that President Donald Trump is serious about removing communist China&#8217;s influence from the canal and taking back the engineering marvel that the U.S. built more than a century ago.
Rubio is also planning on visiting Guatemala, El Salvador, and Costa Rica, Bloomberg News <a href="https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2025-01-23/marco-rubio-plans-to-visit-panama-as-trump-eyes-canal">reported</a>.
The former U.S. Senator from Florida became Trump&#8217;s first confirmed cabinet secretary during his second term in office when he received a 99-0 vote in the Senate this week.
Panamanian President Jose Mulino released a statement shortly after Trump took office rejecting his push to reassert sovereignty over the Panama Canal, which Trump mentioned in his inaugural speech.
“We will restore the name of a great president, William McKinley, to Mount McKinley, where it should be and where it belongs,” Trump said. “President McKinley made our country very rich, through tariffs and through talent.”
“He was a natural businessman and gave Teddy Roosevelt the money for many of the great things he did, including the Panama Canal, which has foolishly been given to the country of Panama after the United States — the United States — I mean, think of this — spent more money than ever spent on a project before and lost 38,000 lives in the building of the Panama Canal,” he continued. “We have been treated very badly from this foolish gift that should have never been made. And Panama’s promise to us has been broken. The purpose of our deal and the spirit of our treaty has been totally violated. American ships are being severely overcharged and not treated fairly in any way, shape, or form. And that includes the United States Navy. And above all, China is operating the Panama Canal, and we didn’t give it to China; we gave it to Panama. And we’re taking it back.”
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Mulino said in his statement: “I must reject in its entirety the words expressed by President Donald Trump regarding Panama and its Canal in his inaugural address.”
&#8220;I reiterate what I expressed in my message to the Nation on December 22: the Canal is and will continue to be Panama’s and its administration will continue to be under Panamanian control with respect to its permanent neutrality,&#8221; he said. &#8220;There is no presence of any nation in the world that interferes with our administration.&#8221;
<iframe loading="lazy" title="‘We’re Taking It Back!’: Trump Has Big Message For China On The Panama Canal" width="500" height="281" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/VdQONA22uH0?feature=oembed" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" referrerpolicy="strict-origin-when-cross-origin" allowfullscreen></iframe>

Rubio Sends Strong Message With Destination Of His First Foreign Trip

Donald Trump’s return to office is not just a referendum on Joe Biden. It is a referendum on Donald Trump.
An election is typically a referendum on one or the other candidate. But this election was possibly the only election in my lifetime which was a referendum on both, because Trump has been the candidate before.
The American people didn&#8217;t come up with somebody brand-new. The American people were not interested in something brand-new. They went back to Trump. 
The election was a justification of President Trump&#8217;s first term. It was an understanding by the American people that Trump&#8217;s policies have been and will be the best for the country.
The philosopher George Hegel once famously suggested that in politics, in philosophy, in history, a thesis — a proposition — is often put forth, and then an antithesis, its opposite, is as well. Those two go to war and create a synthesis, an in-between.
That didn&#8217;t happen this time.
This time, Trump was the thesis, and Biden was the anti-Trump antithesis. And the American people said, we are going back to the thesis. It was an utter and complete repudiation of everything Biden touched and a justification of President Trump&#8217;s policies. It was an absolute endorsement of President Trump&#8217;s policies by the American people.
<h3><a href="https://www.dailywire.com/episode/bss-ep-2121-member-exclusive" target="_blank" rel="noopener">WATCH: The Ben Shapiro Show</a></h3>
Trump’s inaugural address was amazingly good. He started by suggesting the American people had spoken and the new Golden Age was here.
“I stand before you now as proof that you should never believe that something is impossible to do. In America, the impossible is what we do best,” Trump <a href="https://x.com/TrumpWarRoom/status/1881396281568043266" target="_blank" rel="noopener">declared</a>. 
That was the message Trump spread throughout his inaugural address. The speech was aspirational and uplifting. It included many pragmatic suggestions about what he&#8217;s going to do. It additionally maintained a positive American can-do attitude that&#8217;s been missing for my entire adult lifetime in American politics.
American politicians have not talked in totally aspirational terms about what America is capable of doing for a very, very long time. I was a child when Ronald Reagan left office, and that was probably the last time this sort of optimism has been present in the United States.
Trump spoke of the assassination attempt in which his head was almost blown to pieces, <a href="https://x.com/TrumpWarRoom/status/1881391855440625704" target="_blank" rel="noopener">saying</a>, “I felt then, and believe even more so now, that my life was saved for a reason. I was saved by God to make America great again.”
Absolutely correct. That is his job.
He spoke of America&#8217;s manifest destiny, <a href="https://x.com/TrumpWarRoom/status/1881395738141454759" target="_blank" rel="noopener">saying</a>, “We will pursue our manifest destiny into the stars, launching American astronauts to plant the Stars and Stripes on the planet Mars.”
He talked about the possibility of taking back control of the Panama Canal, saying we did not build that canal so the Chinese could control it.
He <a href="https://x.com/TrumpWarRoom/status/1881394738823368999" target="_blank" rel="noopener">said</a> he would be a peacemaker and a unifier, which would involve peace through strength — the credible threat of force that establishes peace in the world — along with diplomacy that is the softer side, the velvet glove in which lies the iron fist.
He <a href="https://x.com/TrumpWarRoom/status/1881393801534799965" target="_blank" rel="noopener">spoke</a> at length about bringing back free speech. It is astonishing that the President of the United States must talk about a return of free speech, but that was made necessary by the Left and by Joe Biden.
“I will also end the government policy of trying to socially engineer race and gender into every aspect of public and private life,” he <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fECKwMw_ldc" target="_blank" rel="noopener">declared</a>. “We will forge a society that is colorblind and merit-based as of today. It will henceforth be the official policy of the United States government that there are only two genders, male and female.”
That line was probably the line that received the longest applause of the entire inaugural speech, which demonstrates how far the Left has gone completely off the rails.
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He talked about the border, <a href="https://x.com/TrumpWarRoom/status/1881392976318071080" target="_blank" rel="noopener">stating</a> he would “declare a national emergency at our southern border. All illegal entry will immediately be halted and we will begin the process of returning millions and millions of criminal aliens back to the places from which they came. We will reinstate my Remain in Mexico policy. I will end the practice of catch and release and I will send troops to the southern border to repel the disastrous invasion of our country.”
Even people who did not vote for Trump understand that what we just went through over the past four years was a historically terrible presidency.
As President Trump escorted former President Joe Biden to the helicopter, the minute that Biden walked up the Marine One stairs for the final time, you could feel the burden being lifted from American hearts.
Later, when President Trump walked into the Oval Office, the press asked him, “How do you feel today?”
He responded, “It&#8217;s one of the better feelings I&#8217;ve ever had.”
All of us who are rooting for him experienced that same feeling.

The Inauguration Of Donald J. Trump As The 47th President

Trump’s Inaugural Speech: We Reach For The Stars Again

Trump's Inaugural Speech: We Reach For The Stars Again

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On Monday, roughly one hour after President Trump was inaugurated as President of the United States, Jose Mulino, the president of Panama, released a statement rejecting the suggestion Trump has made regarding the United States reasserting sovereignty over the Panama Canal.
In his inaugural address, President Trump <a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-transcript-inauguration-inaugural-address-3d911cbb2ffc9b903d9fff2088948318">spoke</a> of returning the name of the highest peak in North America, which had been renamed Mount Denali in 2016, back to Mount McKinley. It had been named in honor of William McKinley, America’s 25th president.
“We will restore the name of a great president, William McKinley, to Mount McKinley, where it should be and where it belongs,” Trump stated. “President McKinley made our country very rich, through tariffs and through talent.&#8221;
&#8220;He was a natural businessman and gave Teddy Roosevelt the money for many of the great things he did, including the Panama Canal, which has foolishly been given to the country of Panama after the United States — The United States — I mean, think of this — spent more money than ever spent on a project before and lost 38,000 lives in the building of the Panama Canal,” he continued. “We have been treated very badly from this foolish gift that should have never been made. And Panama’s promise to us has been broken. The purpose of our deal and the spirit of our treaty has been totally violated. American ships are being severely overcharged and not treated fairly in any way, shape, or form. And that includes the United States Navy. And above all, China is operating the Panama Canal, and we didn’t give it to China; we gave it to Panama. And we’re taking it back.”
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In an October 1976 debate with then-President Gerald Ford — who supported a treaty with Panama while Ronald Reagan, his opponent in the 1976 primaries, opposed it — Jimmy Carter promised he would not surrender “practical control of the Panama Canal Zone any time in the foreseeable future.”
That didn’t last. After he was elected president, Carter sent his envoys to negotiate a treaty with Panama giving Panama control over the Canal Zone. Carter signed the Panama Canal treaty in September 1977, the Senate ratified the Panama Canal treaty in April 1978. Carter signed the implementation legislation into law in September 1979.
“On behalf of the Republic of Panama and its people, I must reject in its entirety the words expressed by President Donald Trump regarding Panama and its Canal in his inaugural address,” Mulino stated on X (as translated by Google). “I reiterate what I expressed in my message to the Nation on December 22: the Canal is and will continue to be Panama&#8217;s and its administration will continue to be under Panamanian control with respect to its permanent neutrality. There is no presence of any nation in the world that interferes with our administration.”
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“The Canal was not a concession from anyone,” he continued. “It was the result of generational struggles that culminated in 1999, as a result of the Torrijos-Carter treaty and, since then until now, for 25 years, without interruption, we have managed and expanded it responsibly to serve the world and its commerce, including the United States. We will exercise the right that protects us, the legal basis of the Treaty, the dignity that distinguishes us and the strength that International Law gives us as the ideal way to manage relations between countries and, above all, between allied and friendly countries, as demonstrated by history and our actions with respect to the United States. Dialogue is always the way to clarify the points mentioned without undermining our right, total sovereignty and ownership of our Canal.”
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="500" data-dnt="true">
<a href="https://t.co/oEeBCpQnSl">pic.twitter.com/oEeBCpQnSl</a>
&mdash; José Raúl Mulino (@JoseRaulMulino) <a href="https://twitter.com/JoseRaulMulino/status/1881411425186259268?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 20, 2025</a></blockquote>
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Panama’s President Rejects Trump’s Call To Take Back Panama Canal

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