Quotes
That provides more legal framework for Panama to wiggle out of the concessions and for Panama to reopen them such that an American company or a European company might come in and win the bid,
Berg said
Yesterday's announcement by President @JoseRaulMulino that Panama will allow its participation in the CCP's Belt and Road Initiative to expire is a great step forward for U.S.-Panama relations, a free Panama Canal, and another example of @POTUS leadership to protect our national security and deliver prosperity for the American people,
Rubio posted on X after departing the countryDuring their visit to Panama, the U.S. delegation never forgets China. We have some photos to share with Panamanian and American friends who love peace and development,
the diplomatic mission wrote on X (formerly Twitter).
I met with Panamanian President Mulino and Foreign Minister Javier Martínez-Acha Vásquez to make clear that the United States cannot and will not allow the Chinese Communist Party to continue its effective and growing control over the Panama Canal area. We also discussed efforts to end the hemisphere's mass migration crisis and ensure fair competition for U.S. firms. The Panama Canal is vital to America's national and economic security interests. We must remain vigilant in protecting this vital asset from the Chinese Communist Party."
U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio posted on XI don't feel that there is any real threat at this time against the treaty, its validity, or much less of the use of military force to seize the canal,
Mulino told reporters
Sovereignty over the canal is not in question,
he said, proposing technical-level talks with Washington to clear up concernsIt was not given to China, it was given to Panama foolishly,
he told reporters as he returned to Washington from a weekend in FloridaWhat you see here — that the United States and Donald Trump want to take back the canal — that's what we call cause and effect,
says Andre Howell, a hotel worker in the historic centre of Panama City
We could not cross into the canal zone without being arrested if we didn't follow all the American rules. The minute you stepped across that border, you were in the United States,
Mari saidI was the political leader of the opposition when Noriega said he was going to kill all the leaders of the opposition if the US were to invade,
recalled former Panama congressman Edwin Cabrera, speaking to the BBC by the locks of the canal's Pacific entranceThere's a treaty that he has to respect, and there's nothing in the treaty that says that we cannot have ports run by the Chinese,
she told the BBC, pointing outI heard the bombs and started seeing people dying... The only thing President Trump and Rubio have left to say is that they will invade us,
he told the BBCThey're not administrating the Panama Canal the right way... No Panamanians have [the] benefits,
he saidThe United States, I mean, think of this, spent more money than ever spent on a project before and lost 38 lives in the building of the Panama Canal. We have been treated very badly from this foolish gift that should never been made, and Panama's promise to us has been broken."
After being sworn in as the 47th US President at the US Capitol in Washington, DC, he said
In the name of the Republic of Panama and its people, let us consider integrally the words uttered by President Donald Trump regarding Panama and its Canal, in his inaugural speech. Again he expressed in his message to the Nation, last December 22: the Canal is and will continue to operate under Panamanian control with respect for its permanent neutrality. There is no presence of any nation in the world that interferes with our administration,
he said
China's running the Panama Canal. That was not given to China, that was given to Panama - foolishly - but they violated the agreement, and we're going to take it back, or something very powerful is going to happen,
Trump told reporters
I don't think troops will be necessary in Panama,
he addedI think this visit opens the door to build new relations … and try to increase as much as possible U.S. investments in Panama,
Mulino told reporters after meeting with Rubio on his first international trip since being confirmed
Had the pleasure of meeting the incredible @USEmbPAN team during my first embassy meet and greet in my new role as Secretary of State!" ... Thankful for their dedication and ongoing efforts to promoting President Trump’s vision of an America First foreign policy."
Rubio wrote in a post on XWe also discussed efforts to end the hemisphere’s mass migration crisis and ensure fair competition for U.S. firms,
Rubio added