“Above all, China is operating the Panama Canal. And we didn’t give it to China. We gave it to Panama, and we’re taking it back,” Trump claimed in his inaugural speech last month.

Panama strongly rebuked Trump’s comments, with President José Raúl Mulino saying the canal “is and will continue to be Panama’s.” Mulino also rejected Trump’s claim that China controls ...

Trump's First 100 Days US, Panama ‘taking back’ canal from ‘China's influence,’ says Hegseth 'I want to be very clear. China did not build this canal.

China’s influence on the Panama Canal poses "acute risks to U.S. national security," Sen. Ted Cruz is warning Tuesday, alleging the Chinese Communist Party has taken a "militaristic interest" in ...

If China’s alleged influence over the canal wasn’t halted, Trump threatened to “take back” the iconic waterway that the US returned to Panama in 2000, employing military force if needed.

PANAMA CITY, Panama — U.S. Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth said Tuesday the Panama Canal faces ongoing threats from China, but that together the U.S. and Panama will keep it secure.

PANAMA CITY (AP) — U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth said Tuesday the Panama Canal faces ongoing threats from China but that together the United States and Panama will keep it secure.

“China-based companies continue to control critical infrastructure in the canal area,” Hegseth said. “That gives China the potential to conduct surveillance activities across Panama.

Does China have a presence in the Panama Canal? The Trump administration’s key concern is found at either end of the waterway, where two of the five ports that service the canal are operated by ...