Rubio to Panama: China exerting ‘unacceptable’ control of canal | VOA News #shorts

U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio told top Panamanian leaders Sunday that China is exerting “unacceptable” influence and control of the Panama Canal, which, if not changed, could force the United States to “take measures necessary” to protect its access to the waterway. Rubio told Panamanian President José Raúl Mulino and Foreign Minister Javier Martínez-Acha in Panama City that U.S. President Donald Trump “has made a preliminary determination that the current position of influence and control of the Chinese Communist Party over the Panama Canal area is a threat” to canal operations, the State Department said. The statement did not detail what the U.S. perceives as China’s undue influence over the 82-kilometer passageway between the Atlantic and Pacific oceans, what actions the U.S. might take, or what Mulino’s response was to Rubio’s assessment. Mulino in recent days has rejected criticism from the new U.S. government over Panama's management of the waterway that is vital to global trade. https://www.voanews.com/a/rubio-warns-of-china-s-potential-to-block-panama-canal-in-conflict/7958272.html » Subscribe to VOA News: https://bit.ly/3KIPysi » Watch more VOA News video: https://www.youtube.com/c/VOANews Voice of America (VOA) is the largest U.S. international broadcaster, providing news and information in nearly 50 languages to an estimated weekly audience of more than 354 million people. VOA produces content for digital, television, and radio platforms. It is easily accessed via your mobile phone and on social media. It is also distributed by satellite, cable, FM and MW, and is carried on a network of more than 3,500 affiliate stations. Since its creation in 1942, Voice of America has been committed to providing comprehensive coverage of the news and telling audiences the truth. Through World War II, the Cold War, the fight against global terrorism, and the struggle for freedom around the globe today, VOA exemplifies the principles of a free press. Connect with VOA News: » VISIT OUR WEBSITE: https://www.voanews.com » LIKE OUR FACEBOOK PAGE: https://www.facebook.com/voanews » FOLLOW US ON INSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/voanews » FOLLOW US ON TWITTER: https://twitter.com/VOANews » FOLLOW US ON THREADS: https://www.threads.net/@voanews #news #voanews