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Trump’s remarks came after Secretary of State Marco Rubio traveled to Panama to address the situation directly. Rubio reportedly warned Panamanian officials that Washington would take action if steps were not taken to curb China’s growing foothold over the crucial trade route. The message was clear—either Panama upholds its commitments, or the United States will respond forcefully.
“If the United States is not granted control of the canal, ‘something very powerful is going to happen,’” Trump emphasized.
The Possibility of Military and Economic Pressure
Trump has hinted before that he would not shy away from using military or economic measures to ensure American interests in the region are protected. The Panama Canal, which was controlled by the U.S. until it was handed over to Panama in 1999, remains a vital artery for global trade, especially for American shipping and naval operations.
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“Secretary of State Rubio is in Panama — Panama right now. And we’re talking about the Panama Canal. What they’ve done is terrible. They violated the agreement. They are not allowed to violate the agreement. China is running the Panama Canal. That was not given to China. That was given to Panama, foolishly. But they violated the agreement. And we’re going to take it back or something very powerful is going to happen,” Trump reiterated.
This isn’t the first time Trump has raised concerns about China’s global strategy. His administration frequently warned about Beijing’s aggressive expansion in critical areas of commerce and defense, and Panama appears to be the latest flashpoint in this ongoing struggle.
Rubio Links Panama Canal to Greenland Strategy
Senator Marco Rubio also weighed in, tying the Panama Canal issue to broader concerns over China’s global ambitions, including the Arctic.
Conservative host Megyn Kelly pressed Rubio on the matter, specifically asking how Greenland fits into the geopolitical landscape. Rubio explained that China’s long-term strategy includes securing access to strategic locations under the guise of commercial investments—whether it be the Panama Canal or the Arctic.
“Well, the Arctic, which has gotten very little attention, but the Arctic circle and the Arctic region is going to become critical for shipping lanes. For how do you get some of this energy that’s going to be produced under President Trump? These energies rely on shipping lanes. The Arctic has some of the most valuable shipping lanes in the world. As some of the ice is melting, there’s become more and more navigable. We need to be able to defend that,” Rubio stated.
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He pointed out that China, despite not being an Arctic nation, is aggressively seeking influence in the region, just as it has done in Panama.
“So if you project what the Chinese have done, it is just a matter of time before — because they are not an Arctic power. They do not have an Arctic presence. So they need to be able to have somewhere that they can stage from. And it is completely realistic to believe that the Chinese will eventually, maybe in the short-term, try to do in Greenland what they have done at the Panama Canal and in other places. And that is install facilities that give them access to the Arctic with the cover of a Chinese company, but that in reality serve a dual purpose,” he added.
The Threat of Chinese Expansion
Rubio’s comments underscore a broader concern—that China is systematically working to establish global leverage by securing control over key strategic areas, often through economic investments and infrastructure projects that later become security liabilities.
“That in a moment of conflict, they could send naval vessels to that facility and operate from there. And that is completely unacceptable to the national security of the world and to the security of the world and the national security of the United States,” Rubio warned.
This has led to growing discussions in Washington about how to counter China’s influence before it becomes an irreversible problem.
Trump’s Tough Stance on National Security
Trump’s position remains unwavering—America must take decisive action to counter Chinese control of critical trade routes, whether in Panama, the Arctic, or elsewhere.
“So the question becomes, if the Chinese begin to threaten Greenland, do we really trust that that is not a place where those deals are going to be made? Do we really trust that that is not a place where they would not intervene, maybe by force?” Rubio asked.
He went on to explain that Trump’s approach is rooted in protecting America’s national security interests, and that’s why Greenland, much like Panama, has been a topic of interest.
“I think that’s been the president’s point. And that is that Denmark can’t stop them. They would rely on the United States to do so. And so his point is, if the United States is on the hook to provide — as we are now, we have a defense agreement with them — to protect Greenland if it comes under assault, if we’re already on the hook for having to do that, then we might as well have more control over what happens there,” Rubio said.
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He further defended Trump’s blunt approach, stating:
“A lot of this stuff is done publicly, and it’s not helpful because it puts the other side in a tough spot domestically. So those conversations are going to happen, but this is not a joke. Like, what he is saying is — is pretty accurate.”
A Bold Future for American Leadership
Trump’s remarks on reclaiming the Panama Canal add to a growing list of strong positions on global security and trade. With the 2024 election cycle heating up, his stance on China’s global expansion could play a major role in shaping foreign policy discussions.
Whether the United States ultimately takes back the Panama Canal or forces a new agreement remains to be seen. But one thing is clear—Trump is not backing down, and he’s making sure the world knows that America will not be pushed around.