U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio has told Panama’s president that the country must reduce Chinese influence over the Panama Canal area or face potential retaliation from the Trump administration.

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.

Panama City, Panama - 02, 2025 Panamanian President José Raúl Mulino said Sunday that in his meeting with US Secretary of State Marco Rubio, he told him that “ the sovereignty of Panama is not in dispute”.

U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio on Monday welcomed Panama's decision to let its participation in China's global infrastructure plan expire, calling the move "a great step forward" for its ties with the United States.

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.

U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio on Sunday warned Panama's President Jose Raul Mulino that Washington will "take measures necessary" if Panama does not immediately take steps to end what President Donald Trump sees as China's influence and control over the Panama Canal.