Rubio Visits Panama, Discusses Canal Control and Immigration Amid Tariff Controversy

Secretary Rubio Visits Panama, Discusses Canal Control and Immigration

Secretary of State Marco Rubio visited Panama on his first overseas trip, meeting with President José Raúl Mulino to discuss concerns about China's influence over the Panama Canal. Rubio, the first Latino secretary of state, reiterated President Trump's position that China's involvement poses a threat to the canal and economic security, a claim disputed by Mulino.

Rubio toured the canal and emphasized the need for immediate changes, according to his spokesperson Tammy Bruce. He also thanked President Mulino for supporting a joint repatriation program that has reduced illegal migration through the Darien Gap.

The Panama Canal, a vital shortcut between the Pacific and Atlantic Oceans, was constructed by the U.S. but control was transferred to Panama in 1999. During the meeting, Rubio informed the Panamanian leader that President Trump considers China's influence a violation of the Treaty Concerning the Permanent Neutrality and Operation of the Panama Canal.

Meanwhile, President Trump imposed 25% tariffs on imports from Canada and Mexico, aiming to curb undocumented immigration and illicit drug flow. The tariffs, part of a broader immigration policy, also aim to secure cooperation from Central American and Caribbean countries like Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, and the Dominican Republic.

Senator Mark Warner, a Virginia Democrat, criticized the tariffs, arguing that they will increase consumer costs for various goods. He pointed out that President Trump campaigned on lowering grocery prices, but his recent actions contradict that promise.