Secretary of State Marco Rubio met with Panamanian President José Raúl Mulino in Panama over the weekend, State Department spokesperson Tammy Bruce said in a readout of their meeting.

Secretary of State Marco Rubio sent a warning about the Panama Canal, saying the current status of the trade route is “unacceptable.” According to a summary of Rubio’s meeting with Panamanian president José Raúl Mulino released by the State Department,

President José Mulino said Panama's sovereignty over the world's second busiest waterway is not up for discussion.

America's top diplomat said Panama must act or the US would take necessary measures to protect its rights under a treaty between the two countries. The warning follows President Donald Trump's vow to retake the canal and a meeting between Rubio and Jose Raul Mulino,

U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio warned Panama’s President Jose Raul Mulino that Washington will 'take necessary measures' if Panama doesn’t act to curb China’s influence over the Panama Canal.