Sec Hegseth to visit Panama after Trump’s demands for canal

Defense Minister Beit Higseth is scheduled to meet Panama’s leaders next week amid the continuing efforts of President Donald Trump to regain control of the main strategic and military resource.

The Trump administration was explicit about the national security threats provided by the alleged Chinese intervention.

During February visit to the country, Foreign Minister Marco Rubio He wrote in the X publication that “the United States cannot, and will not allow the Communist Party of China to continue its effective and increasing control over the Panama Channel area.”

Pentagon’s chief spokesman Sean Barnell confirmed on Friday that the Minister of Defense will attend the Central Security Conference for the year 2025, where he participated in the discussions that “will lead the ongoing efforts to enhance the partnerships of the United States with Panama and other Central American countries,” according to a report issued by the Associated Press.

Panama denies the state’s claim that it removes the fees for government ships using the channel

The president, who criticized the six numbers installments imposed on American ships traveling along the biological waterway, previously suggested re -describing the channel.

It was built by the United States for multiple decades, but was eventually delivered to Panama during the Carter Administration.

“The Panama Channel Re -purchasing”, a draft law recently presented in congress, will give Trump the authority to negotiate with the appropriate government officials in Panama to re -configure the Panama Channel.

US Defense Minister Beit Higseth will attend the meeting of NATO defense ministers at the coalition headquarters in Brussels, Belgium on February 13, 2025. (Reuters/Yves Hermann)

China, Hong Kong threatens to thwart the sale of Panama channel ports to Blackrock

Panama President Jose Raul Mulino previously said that China has no effect on the channel and accused Trump of “lying” about obtaining it, according to AP.

Blackrock, INC. Later on a $ 23 billion deal with Hong Hong -based CK HUTCINSON to take over the ownership of Cristobal and Balboa ports in the Banmeans, along with 43 outlets in 23 other countries, according to the previous Fox News Digital.

Two shipping ships enter Miraflores locks for Panama Channel in Panama on January 22. (Martin Bernetti/AFP via Getty Images)

The channel can be used as a lever for China in US tariff negotiations.

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Higseth will also visit Eaglein Air Force Base in Florida to meet military personnel and command in the seventh Special Forces Group, according to AP.

Fox News Morgan Phillips contributed to this report.