By Stefan J. Bos, Chief International Correspondent Worthy News
PANAMA CITY/BEIJING/WASHINGTON (Worthy News) – The United States and Panama have agreed to secure the strategic Panama Canal after Washington expressed concern about China’s perceived threats in the world’s busiest waterway.
U.S. Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth and Panama’s President José Raúl Mulino signed a memorandum of understanding “on cooperative security activities” and a declaration on the security and operation of the Panama Canal.
Under the deal, US warships and auxiliary ships will sail “first and free” through the Panama Canal.
Hegseth said the Panama Canal faces ongoing threats from China but that the United States and Panama will keep it secure together.
Following the signing ceremony in Mulino’s palace in Panama City, China quickly condemned the deal.
“Who represents the real threat to the Canal? People will make their own judgment,” Beijing said.
Yet, speaking at a ribbon cutting for a new US-financed dock at the Vasco Nuñez de Balboa Naval Base, after a meeting with Panama President José Raúl Mulino, Hegseth said the U.S. will not allow China or any other country to threaten the canal’s operation.
NATIONAL PRIDE
The Panama Canal is a point of national pride for Panamanians, and officials have said any suspected infringement on their sovereignty is considered problematic.
Sources familiar with the talks said U.S. Defense Department officials flew to Panama to prepare for this week’s high-level talks, hoping to overcome tensions
President Mulino had angrily attacked U.S. President Donald J. Trump for saying he wanted “to retake” the Panama Canal due to China’s influence on the region.
Yet, by the time Hegseth departed the country, he had signed the agreement on Panama Canal cooperation.
In Panama, officials seem to hope this will convince Trump to abandon his plans to annex the waterway.
Copyright 1999-2026 Worthy News. This article was originally published on Worthy News and was reproduced with permission.
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