Panama President José Raúl Mulino said that the country would not renew its 2017 MoU with China to join its Belt and Road initiative after US Secretary of State Marco Rubio gave an ultimatum to the nation to distance itself from Beijing.

Panama City, Panama - 02, 2025 Panamanian President José Raúl Mulino said Sunday that in his meeting with US Secretary of State Marco Rubio, he told him that “ the sovereignty of Panama is not in dispute”.

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio makes real on Donald Trump's threats and warns President José Raúl Mulino he must make immediate changes to reduce Chinese influence on the Panama canal.

Secretary of State Marco Rubio met with Panamanian President José Raúl Mulino in Panama over the weekend, State Department spokesperson Tammy Bruce said in a readout of their meeting.

U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio on Sunday warned Panama's President Jose Raul Mulino that Washington will "take measures necessary" if Panama does not immediately take steps to end what President Donald Trump sees as China's influence and control over the Panama Canal.

Panama President José Raúl Mulino says there will be no negotiation with the United States over ownership of the Panama Canal. He also says that he hopes U.S.

Secretary of State Marco Rubio told Panama officials that Chinese influence over the Panama Canal must be curbed or the U.S. will take retaliatory actions, the State Department said Sunday. Why it matters: Rubio's warning to Panama President José Raúl Mulino and Foreign Minister Javier Martínez-Acha is another pressure point on the country since President Trump said he intended to regain control of the Panama Canal.