Rubio tells Panama to reduce Chinese influence in canal area or face US action

Secretary of state’s visit to Central American state greeted with protests at Trump’s demand to take back the waterway

The US secretary of state, Marco Rubio, has held talks in Panama with its president, José Raúl Mulino, as protesters marched in opposition to Donald Trump’s demand for ownership of the Panama canal to be returned to the US.

The US’s top diplomat told Mulino in the talks that the US president has determined China’s influence threatens the Panama canal and that immediate changes were needed or the US would act.

Topics

US demands Panama reduce Chinese influence over canal or face action

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio says Central American nation is violating canal treaty’s neutrality clause
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BBC News - Jan. 22
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The Hill - Jan. 21
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The Hill - Jan. 20
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The New York Times - Jan. 15
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