bodyType

customContents

entityId

entityUuid

articlePageQuery

filter

article

articleBaseAdvertisingInfoArticle

articleListArticle

articleSeoArticle

helpersCheckIsPostiesArticle

hooksArticleAcknowledgementGateOverlayArticle

hooksTrackPageViewArticle

hooksContentInterestArticle

articleLinkingDataContent

hooksAmpRedirectArticle

articleSchemaContent

liveArticle

advertZone

sentiment

contentLock

topics

types

sections

moreOnThisArticles

urlAlias

commentCount

authorLocations

authors

corrections

sponsorType

displaySlideShow

multimediaEmbed

printHeadline

seriesContainer

socialHeadline

headline

flag

firstTopic

glossary

flattenTypeIds

publishedDate

additionalInfoBoxes

quizIds

images

image

relatedLinks

relatedNewsletters

__typename

createdDate

sponsor

paywallTypes

pdfFiles

seriesReverseOrder

series

disableOffPlatformContent

published

updatedDate

summary

subHeadline

body

keywords

readingTime

customTimezone

liveContents

Igor Patrick

China’s ambassador to Panama accused the United States of stirring a “tropical storm” diplomatically and intimidating the Central American country on Monday, following its announcement it would end a high-profile development agreement with Beijing.
Ambassador Xu Xueyuan’s criticism came after US Secretary of State Marco Rubio visited the country and urged Panamanian officials to distance themselves from China.
Published by Panamanian newspaper La Estrella and titled “United States, please learn to respect”, Xu’s editorial called the American delegation’s visit a “tropical storm” that disrupted Panama’s sovereignty.
She accused them of coercive diplomacy and questioned why Rubio reacted with “such fury” to Panama’s relations with Beijing.

Yesterday's announcement by President @JoseRaulMulino that Panama will allow its participation in the CCP’s Belt and Road Initiative to expire is a great step forward for U.S.-Panama relations, a free Panama Canal, and another example of @POTUS leadership to protect our national… https://t.co/U1xrZjqk1p
— Secretary Marco Rubio (@SecRubio) February 3, 2025

Xu highlighted the extensive trade and investment between Washington and Beijing, accusing the Americans of hypocrisy for opposing similar Chinese activities in Panama.
Her comments followed Panamanian President José Raúl Mulino’s announcement on Sunday that his country would not renew its 2017 memorandum of understanding for the Belt and Road Initiative, Beijing’s China-centred global infrastructure initiative.
Speaking alongside Rubio, Mulino said Panama’s sovereignty over the 51-mile-long (82km) canal that connects the Pacific and Atlantic oceans would remain unchanged.
The Panamanian leader also praised the top US diplomat’s visit, saying it would “open doors to build new relations and increase” American investments there.
Rubio on Monday again voiced concerns over China’s “creeping control” of the Panama Canal.
“The United States cannot, and will not, allow the Chinese Communist Party to continue with its effective and growing control over the Panama Canal area,” he posted on social media.
He accused Beijing of imposing “six-figure premiums” on US shipping and framed Panama’s decision to withdraw from the belt and road strategy as a victory for American interests, “another example” of Trump’s leadership “to protect our national security”.
Launched in 2013, Beijing’s strategy has drawn sharp criticism from Washington, which alleges it creates economic dependency for its partners and undermines local sovereignty.
Following his visit to Panama, Rubio was expected to travel to El Salvador, Costa Rica, Guatemala and the Dominican Republic.
The tour marked the first time in more than a century that a US secretary of state has made Latin America their inaugural trip abroad after taking office.
Rubio’s comments align with US President Donald Trump’s foreign policy vision, which has increasingly focused on the Panama Canal as a strategic asset.
Trump has claimed that Panama’s engagement with Chinese companies violates the neutrality clause of the 1977 treaty that transferred control of the canal from the US to Panama.


He has floated the idea of buying back or reclaiming the canal, a proposal formalised in the Panama Canal Repurchase Act of 2025 introduced by House Republicans.
“America must project strength abroad – owning and operating the Panama Canal might be an important step towards a stronger America and a more secure globe,” said US congressman Dusty Johnson, a South Dakota Republican and member of the House Select Committee on China as well as one of the bill’s sponsors.
In her editorial, Xu defended China’s relationship with Panama, pointing to historical ties that date back over 170 years. She said Chinese investment has brought the country development without jeopardising its sovereignty.
“China has never brought fear to Panama but rather equality, respect and mutual benefit,” Xu wrote, citing infrastructure projects and the opening of Chinese markets to Panamanian agricultural products.
Xu also dismissed American claims that the canal’s neutrality was compromised, accusing Washington of being the real threat to its stability.
“The only time the canal was closed was not by any other country, but by the United States’ own invasion,” she wrote, referring to Washington’s military intervention in Panama in 1989 when more than 27,000 American soldiers invaded the Central American country to overthrow strongman Manuel Noriega.
Operation Just Cause marked a decisive moment in US foreign policy, targeting a once-allied dictator who had become a strategic liability due to his involvement in drug trafficking and growing hostility towards American interests.
“If the United States wants to create a ‘golden era’ for the Americas, it must first respect other countries and ask the peoples of Latin America what kind of era they desire,” Xu added.
Back in Washington, Trump asserted he was trying to strike a deal with Panama and reinforced his threat to seize the canal by force if necessary.
“We’re gonna get something very strong or we’re gonna take it back and China will be dealt with,” he said on Monday. “We didn’t give [the canal] to China, we gave it to Panama.”
“Panama, as you know, has violated the agreement … We’re going to take it back, or something very powerful is going to happen.”
Trump also said he was “not completely satisfied” with Mulino’s assurances to Rubio and that both sides were considering a face-to-face meeting with either Panamanian representatives in Washington or American representatives in Panama City.


China, US reduce majority of tariffs after first round of trade talks

Watch live: US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent holds press briefing on trade talks

US-China trade talks seen as politically symbolic, but is outcome a real ‘deal’?

US, China agree to ‘trade consultation mechanism’, conduct further talks, He Lifeng says

US-China relations

China’s ambassador to Panama slams US for stirring ‘tropical storm’ with Marco Rubio visit

Members of Panama’s national police stand guard during a protest as US Secretary of State Marco Rubio visits Panama City on Sunday. Photo: Reuters

Rubio tells Panama that China threatens canal, changes needed

Panama’s President Jose Raul Mulino, left, and US Secretary of State Marco Rubio, centre, arrive for a meeting at the presidential palace in Panama City on Sunday. Photo: AFP

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio tours the Miraflores Locks at the Panama Canal on Sunday. Photo: AP

Demonstrators hold a banner protesting against Rubio’s diplomatic visit to Panama on Sunday. Photo: Reuters

Eyeing China, Marco Rubio makes Central America his first trip abroad as top US diplomat

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio is a long-time China hawk who has a history of engaging leaders in Latin America. Photo: Reuters

A demonstrator in Panama City on Wednesday holds a sign to protest Rubio’s impending visit. Photo: AFP

Rubio has criticised Beijing’s account of his recent phone call with Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi. Photo: AP

Panama says won’t negotiate with US over canal, ahead of Rubio visit

A cargo ship transits through the Panama Canal’s Agua Clara locks on Gatun Lake on Wednesday. Photo: AFP

What do China and the Panama Canal have to do with Marco Rubio’s trip to Latin America?

Donald Trump has made repeated pledges to regain control of the Panama Canal. Photo: TNS

Marco Rubio, US secretary of state nominee, echoes Trump’s Panama Canal China concern

US Senator Marco Rubio testifies before a Senate Foreign Relations Committee hearing on his nomination to be secretary of state, in Washington on Wednesday. Photo: AFP

Senator Marco Rubio testifying on Wednesday. Photo: AFP

News

China

Diplomacy

World

Americas

United States & Canada

Knowledge

US-China Relations

Criticism follows Panamanian leader saying belt and road MOU won’t be renewed and US secretary of state urging distance from Beijing


Criticism follows Panamanian leader saying belt and road MOU won’t be renewed and US secretary of state urging distance from Beijing.
