According to reports, the new u.s. secretary of state, Marco Rubio met with the president of Panama, Jose Raul Rumino on Sunday to discuss the u.s. built Panama canal. Reportedly, Mr Rubio said that the u.s. president is of the opinion that the canal authorities are overcharging, and he has decided that China’s presence in the canal area has violated a treaty of neutrality that led to the u.s. turning the canal over to Panama in 1999.
According to the report, Mr Rumino said that China’s role in ports at either end of the canal is the cause of the president’s concern, but the consortium controlling them is being audited and the canal authority would be able to give the u.s. a more detailed explanation.
Reportedly, Mr Rumino said that Panama wouldn’t renew its agreement with China’s belt and road initiative when it expires. According to a report, as of 2024 more than 140 countries were part of the b & r initiative which consists of overland and maritime trade routes to Asia, the middle east and Africa, described as a centrepoint of China’s foreign policy.
Reportedly, Hutchison ports, a subsidiary of C K Hutchison holdings, a Chinese firm has renewed a contract with Panama until 2046 but this may be revoked depending on the auditors’ findings